COVINGTON, Ky. - Lead-based paint is associated with brain and vital organ damage if inhaled or ingested, especially in young children. Although Congress outlawed lead-based paint in 1978 due to these risks, many homes across the U.S. still contain this dangerous substance.

Covington, KY is hoping to address this problem with its first-ever, federally-funded Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave the City of Covington $1.66 million with which the City hopes to repair around 58 homes or apartments over  three years.

"We've spent months writing guidelines and preparing to roll out this program, and now we're ready to go," said Jeremy Wallace, the City's Federal Grants Manager.

After a briefing Tuesday night with the Covington City Commission, the City has announced they are working with the Northern Kentucky Health Department to determine affected residences that deserve top priority. Additionally, the City is seeking applications from specific residential addresses in Covington built before 1978.

An inspector will test the houses accepted to the program for lead and will hire a contractor if lead is detected. The contractor will either remove and replace the parts of the house, like baseboards or doors, tainted with lead paint, remove the paint, or enclose the paint, all in ten days or less.

City Housing Development Specialist Archie Ice II explained, "Lead is a real problem, but it's difficult to get people to understand the risks since the symptoms of lead poisoning show up over time," Ice said. "If you take these steps now, your children won't be put at risk."