Community Foundation Announces Safe Housing Initiative

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and Lead-Free MV are teaming up to expand area efforts to provide safe, affordable housing.

The Community Foundation, Oneida County and the City of Utica are launching a Green and Healthy Homes initiative.

The effort will align lead hazard reduction with a full range of improvements to housing in targeted areas.

Oneida County has led area efforts to address childhood lead exposure with a primary prevention program, among the first launched in New York state, and a longstanding secondary prevention program.

“Eliminating lead poisoning has been a priority for my administration, and Oneida County has seen a significant decrease in lead poisoning rates over the last decade,” said County Executive Anthony Picente. “Still, more work remains, and the GHHI compact will expand efforts to ensure the availability of safe, healthy housing.”

The Community Foundation, partnering with the County, City and more than two dozen organizations, launched the Lead-Free MV Coalition with an initial $1 million commitment, which was increased by $5 million earlier this year.