The City of Knoxville's Community Development Department recently received awards and grant funding for several of its programs.

 The Department was designated for a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help protect families from lead-based paints and other home health and safety hazards. Community Development was one of 38 agencies chosen by HUD for the funding. Community Development will work together with Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) to use these grant funds to conduct lead hazard control work in targeted homes, train workers in lead-safe work practices, and increase the public's awareness of childhood lead poisoning, among other things. Click here for more information on the HUD Award.

The second honor received by Community Development is the John Sasso Award, given in recognition of the Department's wide array of activities during National Community Development Week. The week was celebrated April 1st through 6th. The theme of the event was "Changing Communities, Changing Lives." The Sasso Award was presented during the National Community Development Association's convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C., last week.

Funding for the various City projects came through three federally-funded entities: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME).

The week highlighted activities such as housing services, homeless initiatives and interaction with neighborhood organizations. Other ventures during the same week included an Equity Awards Breakfast, a clothing drive and a Community Development fair.

Two other awards were presented by the Knoxville Construction Specification Institute (CSI) chapter for the City's partnership with CSI to host the inaugural Accessibility Event in September 2012. The purpose of the event was to educate the community about people with disabilities and seniors. Several panel discussions were held that demonstrated and explained the need for accessible design, how beneficial it is to people with and without a disability, and how easily it can be incorporated into the design phase.

For more information about the Community Development Department, visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/development.