The Silent Killer Loses Its Sting
Trenton, NJ (March 9, 2020) In its fight to end carbon monoxide poisoning in public housing, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the Trenton Housing Authority a Capital Fund FY19 Emergency Safety and Security Carbon Monoxide grant in the amount of $138,962.
The House of Representatives approved HR 1690 requiring carbon monoxide detectors in public housing. This Act cited as the “Carbon Monoxide Alarms Leading Every Resident To Safety Act of 2019”, seeks to protect millions of low-income families living in federally subsidized housing from the silent killer-carbon monoxide (CO).
New Jersey was one of 27 states that required carbon monoxide detectors in various dwellings. However, it excluded a large segment of the national population; namely the “4,600,000 families receiving Federal housing assistance; families with young children, elderly individuals, or individuals with disabilities.
This new requirement extends the law of protection to an underserved, overlooked population; the working/non-working poor. The Authority has already started the process of identifying, purchasing, replacing and installing Worry Free 10 year combination battery smoke and carbon monoxide alarm detectors in apartments, common areas and boiler rooms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that” carbon monoxide poisoning is entirely preventable”.
Trenton Housing Authority Executive Director, Jelani Garrett said, “The Authority enthusiastically accepts this grant and will continue the process of installing these compliant carbon monoxide detectors until all resident’s living accommodations either meets or exceeds the established regulations.
About the Trenton Housing Authority
The THA is an autonomous body that is chartered by the City of Trenton in accord with State enabling legislation. THA is partially funded, with capital grants and operating subsidies, by the federal government through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The THA is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The THA is committed to providing decent, safe and sanitary housing that is thoroughly constructed, carefully maintained and expertly managed. THA seeks to identify projects that have the potential to act as a catalyst for the revitalization of neighborhoods in the City of Trenton. THA promotes self-sufficiency among the families that reside in its communities by partnering with local agencies and organizations to provide education, training, employment and business opportunities for its residents. To learn more, visit http://www.tha-nj.org/.