BISBEE — Cochise County Housing Authority will no longer be offering the lead-based paint abatement program due to lack of funding, leaving 45 eligible properties on a waiting list with no way to clean them up.

Because of the cuts, five positions at the housing authority will either be partially or entirely affected. Ultimately, this will mean that at least two full-time positions within the housing authority will be eliminated, according to Jim Vlahovich, deputy county administrator.

Vlahovich said, “This grant has been in existence for six years, making 240 homes lead-safe in Cochise County. To our knowledge, the 2009 grant was not awarded to Cochise County due to federal funding cuts. It’s important to note that it was never intended that this grant be continued in perpetuity, and the situation we are currently in demonstrates the overall risk of taking on grant funding, particularly during these times of economic uncertainty.”

Because of the hard times, county officials are constantly monitoring the status of grant funding at the local, state and federal level.

“We are, of course, disappointed in not receiving these particular grant monies this year, but there does not appear to be anything we can do about this situation at this time,” Vlahovich said. “We simply do not have the general fund monies to absorb this lack of federal funding in order to continue this program as we have other mandated priorities with reduced revenue streams.”

To get the specialized work done, county property owners and landlords applied for assistance through the Cochise County Housing Authority. Once it was determined the low-income criteria were met, and the renters had children under the age of 6 or the renters were pregnant women, the tenants are relocated and provided a per-diem rate.

Testing begins with an X-ray fluorescence machine. It tests the exterior and interior for lead hazards as well as around the drip edge of the home and children’s play areas. If the property tests positive for lead dangers, a scope of work is developed by the Housing Authority Lead-Hazard Control Program team. The county seeks bids, and the most reasonable bid submitted is awarded the work, Vlahovich said.

Although any contractor certified by the Environmental Protection Agency may bid on the scope of work, Cochise County Housing Authority typically uses five contracting companies, three of whom are from Cochise County.

The housing authority has trained and certified 15 lead supervisors and more than 40 lead workers in the past six years, Vlahovich said.

The lead waste from completed projects is double-wrapped in 6-mil, polyvinyl bags with the seams taped and disposed of at the county landfill.

When the contractor has completed the lead remediation, the housing authority staff conducts clearance testing and dust sampling to ensure the property is lead safe, then tenants can move back in.

If the property does not have tenants who meet the criteria listed above, but the property meets all other criteria, the property owner or landlord can sign an agreement that says when the property is vacant they will rent to a family who meets the income criteria and have either an expectant mother or child under the age of 6 living in or spending a significant period of their time in the home.

Although the Cochise County Housing Authority will no longer be offering lead remediation, there are organizations such as the Southeast Arizona Community Action Program, Elfrida Citizen’s Alliance, Douglas Housing Authority, Rural Development and Direct Center for Independence who offer various programs to low-income individuals and families, Vlahovich said.

Non-lead remediation rehabs are done through other grant sources which, to date, are still in effect, he said. The housing authority has grants for repairs and energy efficiency projects for qualifying residences.

When asked if the there was a chance the funding could be restored, Vlahovich replied, “Yes. Options and the extent of the need in Cochise County are being considered.”

Where the risks might exist

Houses built prior to 1978, when lead-based paint was commonly used, hold the most risks for childhood lead poisonings.

In Bisbee, 58 percent of housing was built before 1940 and 91 percent before 1978.

In Douglas, 78 percent was built before 1978 with 21 percent before 1940.

Other targeted communities that have more than 50 percent of housing built prior to 1978 are Bowie, Elfrida, Pirtleville, Naco, St. David, Tombstone and Willcox.

— Housing market data provided by Jim

Vlahovich, deputy county administrator