US

Indiana gives $200K to help families amid lead contamination

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this Aug. 23, 2016 photo, Sherry Jackson poses for a portrait at her home in East Chicago, Ind. Jackson has lived at West Calumet Housing Complex for 4 years, but she will have to relocate since the the city has decided to demolish the public housing, because of lead contamination. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim) (The Associated Press)

In this Aug. 23, 2016 photo, Sherry Jackson poses for a portrait holding a letter telling her she must relocate from her West Calumet Housing Complex home in East Chicago, Ind. Jackson has lived at West Calumet Housing Complex for 4 years, but will have to move since the the city has decided to demolish the public housing, because of lead contamination. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim) (The Associated Press)

In this Aug. 23, 2016 photo, a sign from the Environmental Protection Agency is posted in front of West Calumet Housing Complex houses at East Chicago, Ind. The EPA has detected high levels of lead in samples of dust and dirt tracked inside homes where soil is tainted with industrial contaminants. The contamination has resulted in the city calling for the demolition of the low-income complex and relocating its 1,000 residents. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim) (The Associated Press)

The state of Indiana is providing $200,000 to the city of East Chicago to help families living at a public housing complex where soil is tainted with elevated levels of lead and arsenic.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority says its board on Thursday approved the allocation of $100,000 to the East Chicago Housing Authority to help families immediately relocate from the West Calumet Housing Complex.

The State Department of Health says it will provide $100,000 to the city's health department to help fund a public health nurse and educator to assist with lead testing and local education efforts.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has told tenants they have until Nov. 30 to relocate. The city of East Chicago is planning to demolish the low-income complex.