East Chicago Residents Promised Help Moving From Lead Contaminated Housing
EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (CBS) -- Residents of a lead-contaminated apartment complex were given lots of promises Wednesday for help with health and housing.
But as CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports, there are still lots of questions at the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago.
The mayor, the EPA, the Health Department and the Housing Authority all assured residents at a public meeting that they'll be moved and cared for. They're glad for that, but are still questioning why it took so long.
"Everyone who grew up in this area knew it was contaminated, and why are they just now planning on moving?" said Clifford Ramer. "It's unconscionable."
Ramer is relieved health and environmental officials are now fast-tracking assistance to get these people out of an unsafe environment.
"I can't multiply this enough times to tell you the damage that can happen to your child."
Mayor Anthony Copeland urged residents not to dwell on the past.
"We want a solution to relocate the people," he said. "I have asked HUD for vouchers so you can go anywhere in the U.S."
That would include stipends for moving costs, lead testing for the family and any needed follow-up care.
Mother Shantel Allen said her child was tested last year, but she was told only recently that her daughter has dangerous levels of lead in her system.
"Why were we not informed sooner?" she said. "If she was tested in 2015, we should have been notified as soon as possible."