Radon Grant

Rock Hill Housing Authority receives $600,000 HUD Radon Grant award. Pictured from L-R, Terry Millar, Board Chairman, Dewayne Alford, Executive Director, Kristine Foye, Director, Columbia (SC) Field Office, David Casey, Vice-Chairman, and Tammy Gordon, Board Member.

ROCK HILL, SC --- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes recently awarded $600,000 to Rock Hill Housing Authority to conduct radon testing and, as needed, radon mitigation within their housing units. Rock Hill is one of nine public housing agencies (PHAs) across the nation selected to receive funding through the Radon Testing and Mitigation Demonstration Grant Program.  

The Rock Hill Housing Authority, in EPA Radon Zone 2, will utilize the grant to test and mitigate all 337 ground floor units. The project will impact a total of 472 public housing residents.

Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is a decay product of elements in soil and rock and is present in every part of the country. Low levels of radon are found in the outside air. Radon gas can move through the soil and enter buildings through small openings in the foundation or basement and become concentrated in the indoor air environment. When radon is inhaled, it can damage DNA in lung tissue and increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates.

"We are pleased to partner on this radon demonstration grant program to provide resources to PHAs for radon testing and mitigation," said Robert Mulderig, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Housing Investments. "This program will promote awareness among PHAs and other multifamily rental property managers on how to effectively measure and mitigate radon."

HUD participates in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-led interagency effort to increase federal agencies' actions to address radon in their programs with a goal to save lives by increasing radon testing, mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction in the U.S. HUD's creation and administration of the Radon Testing and Mitigation Demonstration Grant Program represents a continuation of this effort.

Since 1965, Rock Hill Housing has provided housing assistance for families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in the cities of Rock Hill and Great Falls. Rock Hill Housing has 369 public housing units and manages 589 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), previously Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, for area landlords.

The mission of Rock Hill Housing is to provide safe, clean, affordable housing and effective social services to low- and moderate-income families and individuals. The Rock Hill Housing team of dedicated employees and Commissioners, in partnership with their residents, utilize accepted business principles and all available resources to improve the quality of life for all participants. They encourage employment, and self-sufficiency and, where possible, assist in the transition to other housing alternatives.

For more information on Rock Hill Housing, please visit their website, RHHA.org.