Executive Order No. 18-9

(No. 07-94)

[Pilot Program to Eliminate Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing

WHEREAS, the State of Vermont has received a grant of $2,534,293 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in housing which is, or will be, occupied by children under the age of six (the "HUD Grant"); and

WHEREAS, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board ("Board") is a public instrumentality of the State of Vermont established to create affordable housing and preserve agricultural land, historic properties, important natural areas and recreational lands; and

WHEREAS, the Board, in active partnership with the Department of Housing and Community Affairs ("DHCA"), the Department of Health ("DOH") and the Vermont Housing Finance Agency ("VHFA"), has implemented a policy which requires grantees to develop housing which is lead safe for children under six; and

WHEREAS, the HUD Grant will allow Vermont to start a pilot program to provide grants and loans to property owners to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in approximately 500 rental housing units and five owner-occupied single-family homes throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, effective and timely implementation of the HUD Grant will be a major step toward guaranteeing all Vermont children a lead-safe home and complementing the work already begun by the Board, DHCA, VHFA, DOH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, the Abatement Coordination Team and the Lead Paint Hazard Commission.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, Howard Dean, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby order the following actions:

The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (hereinafter the "Board") is authorized to sign a Grant Agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") for the purpose of receiving HUD funds under the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant Program (the "HUD Grant"). The Board is authorized to use the HUD Grant to establish and administer a Vermont program to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in housing which is, or will be, occupied by children under age six.

The Board shall work closely with DHCA, the Department of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the Abatement Coordination Team to develop and manage a successful Pilot Program for Vermont and, as part of its Annual Report to the General Assembly, shall include a description of activities supported by the HUD Grant.

This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing.

Dated April 24, 1994.