HUD News

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joins the federal agency partners in highlighting the National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) which will be held from October 22 to October 28, 2023. HUD along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working to increase awareness, provide resources, and encourage actions to decrease childhood lead exposure during the week and beyond. 

HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said, “Lead poisoning is not only a housing issue, it is an issue of health equity, and addressing it is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While HUD has worked with communities across the country to make strides in reducing lead poisoning, thousands of children are still at risk of lead exposure. This week must be a reminder that our work is not done until no child in America suffers from lead exposure.”

The theme of this year’s NLPPW is “Together We Can Prevent Lead Exposure”. It brings to light the significance of coordinating to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from the dangers of lead exposure. HUD invites partners to participate in this. 

Agencies have produced customizable outreach materials, enabling partners to adapt the information to suit the specific needs of their local communities. The customized materials are centered around three key messages which include getting the facts, getting your child tested, and getting your home tested. 

The outreach materials consist of an information kit that contains talking points, facts about lead and its exposure, as well as event ideas and planning recommendations. Besides this, there is a sample social media package with content ideas, sample posts, and graphics focussing on the three messages cited above.