HUD Working To Secure Funds To Relocate Indiana Residents Away From Lead Contamination

By Michael Puente
Shantel Allen Resident of West Calumet Housing Complex
Shantel Allen, a resident of the West Calumet Housing Complex, reacts during a news conference on Aug. 30, 2016, in Munster, Ind. An attorney for families in the Indiana public housing complex slated to be demolished because of lead contamination said he's investigating whether public officials knew about the problem and allowed children to be "poisoned." Tae-Gyun Kim / Associated Press
Shantel Allen Resident of West Calumet Housing Complex
Shantel Allen, a resident of the West Calumet Housing Complex, reacts during a news conference on Aug. 30, 2016, in Munster, Ind. An attorney for families in the Indiana public housing complex slated to be demolished because of lead contamination said he's investigating whether public officials knew about the problem and allowed children to be "poisoned." Tae-Gyun Kim / Associated Press

HUD Working To Secure Funds To Relocate Indiana Residents Away From Lead Contamination

By Michael Puente
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is working to secure funds to move about 1,200 residents from a lead-contaminated housing complex in Northwest Indiana. 

It’s estimated that it will cost over a million dollars to relocate the residents from the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago.

Nearly a third of them are children, which makes finding housing right away even more complicated.

HUD regional spokesman James Cunningham says the cost of boxes, moving expenses and security deposits for new housing can add up. 

“These folks are in a desperate situation. We’re working as hard as we can to get the residents…the resources they need to move and the assistance they need into get to a safer environment,” Cunningham said. 

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate for Indiana governor John Gregg is visiting the complex this afternoon. 

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is campaigning for vice president with Donald Trump, has not visited the area but has sent a team of representatives.

Follow WBEZ’s Northwest Indiana Studio Reporter Michael Puente on Twitter @MikePuenteNews.