Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has allocated over $7 million in grants to enhance residential lead hazard control services. This funding targets households with at least one Medicaid-enrolled resident, aiming to improve safety in homes and communities across the state.

"Michigan is committed to protecting families from lead exposure by working with communities across the state to reduce or eliminate all sources of lead in the home," stated MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. "Providing Medicaid funding to these communities to address lead hazards helps protect some of our most vulnerable residents."

These funds are sourced from Michigan’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, which began issuing grants in 2017. This year, cities, counties, and consortiums were eligible for these grants to provide lead hazard control services. The recipients include:

- City of Battle Creek: Calhoun County - $1,500,000

- Community Action Agency: Lenawee and Hillsdale counties - $1,500,000

- City of Detroit: City of Detroit - $1,300,000

- City of Grand Rapids: City of Grand Rapids - $700,000

- Human Development Commission: Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, Lapeer and Bay counties - $750,000

- Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties: All Upper Peninsula counties - $700,000

- City of Muskegon: Muskegon County - $1,200,000

Grantees must complete activities by September 30th next year. Eligible services under this initiative include:

- Lead inspection and risk assessment.

- Permanent removal or encapsulation of lead-based paint.

- Soil hazard management up to property lines.

- Minor rehabilitation work.

- Replacement of hazardous plumbing fixtures installed before 2014.

- Temporary relocation during abatement processes.

Additionally, efforts will focus on building local capacity for safe lead hazard abatement.

For further details on available services related to lead safety initiatives in Michigan homes and communities can be found at Michigan.gov/mileadsafe.