First Grants Showing Noticeable Outcomes, One Year InOctober 17, 2019 – The Central New York Community Foundation has awarded its second round of LeadSafeCNY grants, totaling $342,500, to help address childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse. In its first year, the initiative resulted in the installation of lead-free windows and doors in 27 Syracuse housing units; 60 income-eligible residents moved into new, affordable, lead-free apartments built on the Northside; and 36 EPA lead certification certificates earned by area landlords and contractors. The Community Foundation established LeadSafeCNY in 2018, committing to invest $2 million over four* years, to fund a variety of approaches to address the region’s alarming childhood lead poisoning rates. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, more than 10 percent of Syracuse children tested in 2018 were shown to have elevated blood lead levels. That rate has improved by nearly one percent from 2017. This year’s grants are supporting existing home renovations, community outreach, training and public policy and systems change. The grants include:
The Community Foundation’s efforts are primarily focused on Syracuse census tracts that were found in 2018 to have the highest blood lead levels in children. Among them is Census Tract 54, where a striking 46 percent of residents live below the poverty line. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, nearly 27 percent of that neighborhood’s children were found to have elevated lead levels in 2018. Surrounding communities show similar data with rates ranging from 20 to 22 percent. LeadSafeCNY’s first grant recipients are reporting some promising outcomes one year in. In its first round of grants in 2018, Home HeadQuarters received $150,000 to pilot a window and doors replacement program and another $20,000 to train landlords and contractors to be EPA-certified for lead remediation. Since then, windows and doors have been replaced in 21 rental housing units so far, and there is a waitlist of neighbors hopeful to receive replacements next, thanks to this year’s additional funding toward the project. Home HeadQuarters has also experienced overwhelming response to its EPA-certification program. Since the program was implemented last fall, more than 39 training opportunities and 36 certifications have been obtained by landlords and contractors of homes in Syracuse with lead paint. “This year’s much-needed expansion of grant funding will allow us to address our current waitlist for EPA certification training for landlords and contractors,” said Katie Bronson, director of community housing initiatives at Home HeadQuarters. “It also extends our windows and doors program for landlords in the 13205 zip code, which is one of the hottest areas for elevated lead blood levels in the city.” Housing Visions received a $150,000 LeadSafeCNY grant last year toward the construction of Butternut Crossing, a new 53-unit affordable apartment complex on Syracuse’s Northside that is 75 percent through completion. So far, more than 60 income-eligible residents are now living in lead-free homes. Ben Lockwood, Housing Visions president and CEO, says the new apartments are typically rented out within one day. He’s found that families are often surprised that they have the opportunity to live in a high-quality apartment. “The buildings we demolished to construct this complex were not only full of lead, they were all beyond their useful life due to neglect,” said Lockwood. “We feel we are adding fabric to the neighborhood. We can choose to pay now for safe housing or pay later as a society when we’ve poisoned our children.” In an Action Statement published on its website, the Community Foundation states that it is taking action now because “lead poisoning is entirely preventable,” yet it currently hinders children’s ability to enter the classroom ready to learn. Elevated blood lead levels in young children have been found to cause reduced brain function, impacting the skills needed for academic success, physical activity and social interaction. This can lead to a higher likelihood of ADHD diagnosis, absenteeism, criminal behavior, violence and suicide. Lead is a toxin that affects the brain, nervous system and multiple organs in the human body. Children under the age of six and pregnant women living in homes that have chipping, flaking and peeling paint are most susceptible. A common source of ingestion is the inhalation of dust particles in the air from the friction of painted surfaces when windows, doors and cabinets are opened and closed. Syracuse’s aging housing stock is much to blame for the high rates of elevated lead levels in resident children. More than 90 percent of the city’s occupied units were built before lead paint was federally banned from use in 1978. Those interested in learning more about the grants or viewing local lead data can visit leadsafecny.org. ### About the Central New York Community Foundation The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity established in 1927 that collects contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to local charities to help them thrive. It is the largest charitable foundation in Central New York with assets of more than $280 million and has invested more than $200 million in community improvement projects since its inception. As a grantmaker, civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives, the Community Foundation strives to strengthen local nonprofits, encourage better understanding of the region and address the most critical issues of our time. * Our initial four-year commitment was extended to five-years following construction, renovation, and training delays due to COVID-19.
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LeadSafeCNY is an initiative of the
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