Kansas City will use a $6.4 million federal grant to repair lead hazards in homes, prioritizing low-income neighborhoods with young children at risk of lead poisoning.
Noah Taborda reports for KCUR.
In short:
- More than 3,500 Kansas City homes built before 1940 pose significant lead hazards.
- The city will renovate about 170 homes starting in January 2025, focusing on properties in minority and low-income neighborhoods with children under six.
- Federal funding will also train 100 local contractors and students to address lead hazards, part of a larger nationwide effort by HUD.
Key quote:
“If they get lead contamination, you’re not gonna see the result of that — you're not gonna see the effect of that — until they grow up.”
— Nasser Jouhari, deputy director of the Kansas City Health Department.
Why this matters:
Lead poisoning can cause long-term harm to children’s development, including cognitive and behavioral problems. Kansas City’s rates of lead poisoning are far above the national average, making removal efforts urgent for public health and safety.
Related: Lead exposure still stunts cognitive development in children worldwide
