$1.85M To Abate Lead, Improve Energy Efficiency In Bergen Co. Homes

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Bergen County nonprofit will be awarded $1.85 million in federal funds to identify and mitigate health and safety hazards in 140 low-income households in the area, officials said.

Greater Bergen Community Action is one of 23 recipients of more than $38 million in funds awarded by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department through a Healthy Homes Production grant program.

With the funds, the Hackensack nonprofit will expand on lead-safe and weatherization programs to remediate or abate lead paint, and to assist in improving energy efficiency in homes, and will deliver necessary services to qualified clients in Bergen and (portions of) Passaic Counties, the nonprofit said.

"Lead hazards in the home can developmental delays, behavioral problems, and even brain damage," the nonprofit said on its website.

HUD's Healthy Homes Production program focuses on low-cost, effective hazard assessment and intervention to protect children from diseases and injuries in the home. It also focuses on educating about hazard mitigation strategies.

“All children deserve a safe, healthy environment to call home,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said. “This grant will allow Hackensack to take a coordinated, holistic approach to remediating health and safety hazards in homes and protecting children.”

The investment, HUD said, builds on a commitment to protect from potential hazards, such as lead-based paint and lead pipes.

“A healthy home is a key to a healthy childhood and this funding will help New Jersey families maintain healthy and safe places to raise their children without the added worry of house hazards, childhood diseases, and injuries,” said Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). “No parent should have to fear having things like mold, lead, allergens, asthma, pesticides, carbon monoxide, threaten the well-being of their children while at home.”

Just earlier this month, the GBCA in Hackensack was announced as the recipient of $1.34 million to perform lead hazard abatement in nearly 75 households in the area, Patch reported. That announcement came a week after data showed eight Bergen County municipalities ranked among the top New Jersey communities with high rates of lead exposure risk.