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June 2024 » thefivestar.com 65 June 2024 J O U R N A L Gold with Green+ Net Zero Designation. The certifications recognize significant property upgrades such as on-site solar, wind turbines, impact and wind-re- sistant roofing, and other substantial energy efficiency and climate resilience improvements. The 12 buildings receiving Lead- ing Edge awards are all part of HUD's Section 8 project-based rental assistance program for low-income individuals and families. Two properties have more than 200 units, seven have 51 to 200 units, and three have 50 or fewer. President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history, created the GRRP in 2022 to support energy efficiency and resiliency improvements for HUD's assisted rental portfolio. HUD ANNOUNCES MILLIONS AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE SAFER, HEALTHIER HOMES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES T he U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated nearly $90 million to reduce residential health hazards for low-income families, such as lead-based paint, carbon monoxide, mold, radon, fire safety, and asbestos. This supports President Biden's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. Since 1993, HUD has invest- ed more than $3.5 billion to safeguard children, families, and individuals from lead and other hazards in their homes. "All families across our Country deserve to live in a healthy home free from toxic lead exposure and other dangerous home health hazards," HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman said. "HUD continues to fulfill the important commitments that protect children and families made under the Biden-Harris Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, including the new funding opportunities we have announced today." The Housing-related Hazards Capital Fund (HRHCF) & Lead-based Paint Capital Fund Program (LBPCF) NOFO provides grants to Public Housing Au- thorities and Indian Housing Authori- ties to evaluate and reduce residential health hazards in public housing. HUD estimates that addressing health hazards like mold, carbon monoxide, fire safety, radon, and lead-based paint in public housing units will cost an average of $15,000 per unit. This is notably higher than the average of $3,500 per unit received through Capital Fund Formula grants. Funding for the evaluation and remediation of lead-based paint hazards remains a critical need as most public housing units were constructed prior to 1978, before lead-based paint was banned from residential use and have extensive potential for lead-based paint. These grants are critical particularly for chil- dren under the age of six who are most at risk of suffering the devastating effects of lead poisoning. Funding opportuni- ties like the HRHCF and LBPCF grants address urgent health and safety issues that Public Housing Authorities are often unable to address with their annual Cap- ital Fund Formula grants alone. These programs are part of President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Additionally, to further HUD's commitment to addressing lead-based paint hazards, HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes will soon release funds for the Lead Hazard Reduction and Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building grants for state and local governments. The Healthy Homes Production grants will also be made available, which continues to support a broad spectrum of interventions, includ- ing those addressing lead, to promote safer and more resilient living conditions, especially for families living in disadvan- taged communities. "All families across our Country deserve to live in a healthy home free from toxic lead exposure and other dangerous home health hazards." —Adrianne Todman, Acting Secretary, HUD