EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) — Documents show that lead paint was discovered outside nearly half of the units earmarked for emergency transfers in a northwest Indiana city.
The Times of Northwest Indiana reports that documents it obtained show that lead paint was found near 13 units intended for families leaving East Chicago’s West Calumet Housing Complex because of lead contamination there.
The Chicago-based Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law alleged the inspections “expose widespread noncompliance” with federal laws.
East Chicago Housing Authority attorney Nick Snow says the paint hazards were remediated. Snow says clearance reports that indicated hazards were reduced or removed were also conducted.
A civil rights agreement reached last year requires East Chicago Housing staff to test units for lead hazards prior to families moving in.
