Michigan – As part of a national initiative to increase home safety and health, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently gave more than $16 million to several Michigan organizations. Particularly for low-income families and senior citizens, this money is part of nearly $226 million allocated across the country to improve living conditions and lower risks to health in households.
In Michigan, the grants are distributed under four different HUD programs: the Older Adults Home Modification Program, the Healthy Homes Production Grant Program, the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, and the Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant Program. From lead contamination to poor elderly access, these projects are meant to address a broad spectrum of structural and environmental problems.
Under the Healthy Homes Production Program, Battle Creek-based Community Action of South Central Michigan—among the recipients—has been granted $1.75 million. This significant money will help to improve the health and safety standards in 176 homes spread throughout five counties: Kalamazoo, Branch, Barry, St. Joseph, and Calhoun. The targeted homes belong to families with low or very low income, aiming to provide them safer and healthier living environments.
Apart from the initiatives in Battle Creek, the Region IV Area Agency on Aging for Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties got $1 million through the Older Adults Home Modification Program. This program aims to improve senior people’s homes so that those over the age of 62 have better functional, safer, more easily accessible living quarters. The grant will help limited repairs and changes in homes of 124 qualified senior homeowners and renters, thereby improving their capacity for independent and safe living in their own houses.
Another noteworthy recipient is Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, Inc., who has been given $2 million to handle several health and safety concerns in 130 homes. This money will go toward houses in dire need of repairs but have previously lacked the resources to perform required renovations. Officials pointed out that these actions are essential since they not only enhance living conditions but also stop major health problems such lead-based paint poisoning, asthma, and respiratory diseases.
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The overarching goal of these HUD-funded projects is to develop local workforces as well. These initiatives not only improve housing conditions but also support local businesses and increase community capacity for continuous development through the training and hiring of house remodeling and repair contractors.
“We commend the efforts of our public and nonprofit partners as we seek to make homes safer,” said HUD Agency Head, the Honorable Adrianne Todman, in a news release. “These grants fund programs and research will improve health, build community capacity, support older adults, and strengthen housing affordability.”
These initiatives by HUD to finance health and safety enhancements in homes come at a pivotal moment when many areas are facing aging housing stocks and limited resources to make required changes. Apart from helping to achieve the more general objective of guaranteeing safe and affordable homes for all, the focused strategy promises to lower incidence of health-related problems.
Read a state-by-state breakdown of the funding announced today:
Read complete project-by-project summaries of the grants awarded today in each of the grant programs.