City committee backs $7.37 million lead‑hazard and healthy‑homes grant application

The Budget & Finance Committee on March 12 voted to recommend that the full council authorize acceptance and expenditure of a federal/state lead‑hazard control and healthy‑homes grant totaling $7,365,455.92.

City planning staff told committee members the four‑year grant will fund lead-abatement work on about 200 units (making them lead‑safe) and healthy‑homes interventions — about 180 units are expected to receive complementary healthy‑homes work such as radon mitigation, mold remediation and exhaust fans. The grant also funds workforce-development activities aimed at training local residents as licensed lead workers and supervisors.

Why it matters: The grant leverages federal funding to address childhood lead exposure and housing health hazards while creating local jobs; staff said the grant would preserve two existing city positions and add two more for program delivery and administration.

Clarifying details - Grant amount: $7,365,455.92 across four years (award term through 09/30/2029 was cited at the meeting). - Targets: make 200 units lead-safe; roughly 180 units to get healthy‑homes interventions (radon, mold remediation, ventilation). - Workforce elements: training and licensing for about 100 low-income Lawrence residents to become lead workers and supervisors; salary/benefits for four full-time positions in the city program were budgeted (~$1,100,000 in salaries and associated fringe costs as discussed by staff).

Action taken - Motion: Send authorization to expend the grant funds to the full council with a favorable recommendation. - Outcome: Committee approved and will forward the authorization.

Ending: Staff will return to council with the formal contract and program details for implementation if the council authorizes expenditure.