CLEVELAND — Six Ohio organizations were awarded grants intended to protect low-income children and families from household health hazards, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Wednesday. 

Organizations in Ohio are set to receive nearly $9.5 million from HUD for the Healthy Homes Production Grant Program, used to reduce health and safety hazards in the homes of 923 low-income families in the state. In all, HUD awarded approximately $105 million to a total of 60 organizations in 29 states. Ohio received more than any other state. 

The grants are for families with incomes at, or below 80% of the area median-income level to address household safety hazards. Hazards noted by HUD include mold and moisture, poor indoor-air quality, pests, carbon monoxide, injury and safety hazards and lead-based paint. 

“By providing these grants, HUD makes it clear that ensuring healthy and safe homes for communities across our nation is a priority,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, who is a former U.S. Representative in northeast Ohio. “HUD is working every day to keep families safe from home health hazards like lead paint because for many Americans, their home is a primary determinate of their health, and that is why HUD is committed to protecting families from these hazards and to providing healthy and sustainable housing for all Americans."

HUD said that in the coming weeks, grantees will begin setting up and implementing their programs and will make applications available for families who are interested and eligible for the program.

Ohio organizations receiving grants:

• City of Cleveland: $2 million
• City of Columbus, Department of Development, Housing Division: $2 million
• City of Lancaster: $1 million
• Erie County Health Department: $1.008 million
• Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission: $2 million
• Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio: $1.471 million