Get the lead out

You know why lead is still a problem in Peoria? Back in late December the Journal Star profiled one resident's experience. The tab to abate his house came to $12,000 !!!!!! The article seems indicate that, that was just the windows !!! What if .... more needs done? That is a LOT of money. Drive around the parts of town where lead is the greatest problem. It would seem obvious that having $12,000 to fix a house, isn't forthcoming. Heck, the bill might be worth more than the house ! Of course the Journal Star points out that there are federal programs to help pay for that. But does everyone qualify? Mmmm NO! Take a look. So if a family of four makes more than $47,700, they are out of luck. Nevermind what other obligations they might have. Even if the federal program reduced the cost to $1200, that could still be a BIG burden for many low income families. Maybe even an impossible burden.

For those better off, well... $12,000 as a starting cost to abate lead, would go a good ways on a down payment for a lead free house in say... Dunlap? At 4 figures I might fix the problem, at 5 figures, I may start looking for another house. The problem doesn't get fixed, just passed on, possibly, even likely, to someone who is less able to deal with the costs.

If the government wants to get serious about lead abatement, the program needs to be open to everyone and perhaps, the costs scaled better so that low income folks can get 100% coverage.


Oh... and you can get lead test kits at Nena Hardware on Forest Hill for about $8 a pop.