Asbestos is known to cause medical conditions such as lung cancer and mesothelioma
Federal agencies provide government grants to fund projects to remove asbestos material from residential, non-residential and educational facilities. Grants cover the costs to remove asbestos from facilities, as well as renovations and repairs needed afterwards. Government grants generally do not require repayment, but some programs recoup funds if recipients do not fulfill the terms of the agreements. Some recipients may have to secure outside funding to pay project costs not covered by grants.
The Very Low-Income Housing Repair Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds grants for asbestos removal from rural-area homes owned by seniors. The Very Low-Income Housing Repair program provides grants to cover projects that remove safety and health hazards from homes owned by individuals 62 years old and over, financially unable to afford loans. Funds also provide support for the needed home renovations and repairs after the removal of the hazards. Applicants can receive up to $7,500 in grant funds, at the time of publication. Recipients cannot sell their homes for three years or they may have to repay their grants.
The Housing Preservation Program
The USDA also provides grants to homeowners, rental property owners and co-op members to remove asbestos and improve their properties under the Housing Preservation Grants Program. Applicants must own or manage properties housing low-income individuals and families in communities of less than 20,000 residents. The grant program requires recipients use grant funds within 24 months.
Senior Environmental Employment Program
The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, sponsors the Senior Environmental Employment Program to help find places of asbestos. Grants are used to employ seniors 55 years and older who provide technical assistance to government environmental agencies, including the EPA, as part of pollution prevention projects. Assistance includes inspecting schools for asbestos and providing help in offices.
Impact Aid
Impact Aid is a grant program funded by the Department of Education. Awarded to local education agencies, grant funds are used at agency's discretion to improve operations. Besides using grants for basic educational activities, LEAs fund programs and projects that meet the needs of students with disabilities and those who need special education. Impact Aid grants also covers facility construction and renovations.
Tags: grant funds, remove asbestos, Employment Program, Environmental Employment, Environmental Employment Program, grant program, homes owned
