Polk County official announces $6 million grant to address lead paint in older homes

A Polk County agency official announced that the county has secured a $6 million grant to help remediate lead-based paint in older homes, and said the award requires a 10% county match of $600,000.

The official said the grant renewal will permit Polk County to reach about 160 additional homes. "This grant is a $6 million grant and it will require a 10% match from the county which will be $600,000," the Polk County agency official said. They added that "this will allow us to get to another 160 homes, which is really exciting."

Officials framed the funding as a response to local housing-age risks and child-health concerns. The official noted that lead-based paint was used through 1978 and warned that, when paint begins to chip or deteriorate, it can be ingested by children and lead to learning, cognition and behavioral problems. "If kids are exposed at a young age, it can lead to a number of health outcomes, including difficulties in learning, cognition, behavioral issues," the official said.

The official said roughly two-thirds of housing in Des Moines was built before the 1978 ban on lead paint, meaning a large share of the housing stock could be affected. They described inspection-style programs as necessary to identify which homes have deteriorating paint and therefore pose a risk.

Residents may enter the program by self-identifying and submitting an application, by calling the Polk County Health Department for assistance, or by applying online. The official directed residents to the county health website for forms and information: polkcountyiowa.gov/health.

The health official credited the Polk County team for preparing the successful renewal application and said the funding continues work the county has done for years. The announcement did not record any formal vote by a board in the transcript; the speaker described the grant as renewed and in hand and described next steps for outreach and intake.