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Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program

HUD Awards $1.1 Million Grant to Windham County, VT to Address Lead Hazards and Healthy Housing
Windham County, VT — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $1.1 million grant for Windham County to launch the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program. This three-year initiative will enhance community health and safety by expanding the county’s capacity to address lead paint and dust hazards and other housing-related health risks.

Coordinated and directed by Sheriff Mark Anderson through the Windham County Sheriff’s Office, the new program will address the growing need for safe, healthy housing throughout the region by implementing three key initiatives over the next two years:
1. Identifying Lead Hazards: Working with the Vermont Asbestos and Lead Program, the initiative will identify families residing in properties with lead paint and dust hazards, which can cause childhood lead poisoning.
2. Supporting Property Owners and Occupants: The program will provide resources and guidance to help property owners and tenants understand and mitigate lead hazards in their homes, creating healthier living environments.
3. Training and Certification for Contractors: With free training provided by this grant, local contractors, housing providers, maintenance staff, and DIY renovators will have the opportunity to become certified in essential lead safety practices. Certification programs will include the Vermont Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) certification and Lead Abatement certifications for contractors, supervisors, and workers. Training schedules and locations will be announced within the next 60 days.

“Our first goal is to hire a full-time Program Manager and an Outreach and Intake Specialist, who will work closely with us to bring these critical programs to life,” said Sheriff Anderson “This grant will also help build the foundation for a more extensive lead abatement program in the third year, which will provide funding to single-family homeowners and multifamily property owners to fully address and abate lead and other health hazards.”

The program’s longer-term impact is expected to boost local employment opportunities, support workforce development, increase property values, and, most importantly, create safer homes for the community’s children. Fiscal reporting will be managed by Jessica Perron at the Windham County Sheriff’s Office, and the project will also have consultation and support of Kate Kirkwood, who has worked with several similar HUD projects, and now lives in Marlboro, VT.

This initiative aligns with HUD’s mission to protect public health, especially in communities where older housing poses a greater risk of lead exposure. “Thanks to the commitment of several towns who wrote support letters, this program will not only address immediate safety needs but also foster long-term health and economic growth,” Anderson said. One study has shown the impact of reduction of lead in communities is responsible for reduced homicide and other crimes in the US. Further, another study found an increase in lead exposure in juvenile males led to an increase in detentions and suspensions.

For more information about the program and upcoming training opportunities, please contact Kate Kirkwood at 603-781-4304 or kate@kkirkwood.com

About the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program
The Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program is dedicated to improving health and safety conditions in homes throughout Windham County, Vermont. Through funding from HUD, the program aims to reduce childhood lead poisoning, support property owners in managing lead hazards, and strengthen the local workforce through specialized training and certification programs.

Contact:
Kate Kirkwood, Program Coordinator
Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program
kate@kkirkwood.com 603-781-4304