Indianapolis, Ind. — Today, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, U.S. Senator Dan Coats, and U.S. Representative Peter J. Visclosky (IN-01) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro calling for a timely review and approval of the City of East Chicago’s application for emergency funding. The request from Donnelly, Coats, and Visclosky comes as part of the response to more than 1,000 residents being affected by the dangerous levels of lead and arsenic in the surrounding soil of the West Calumet Housing Complex.

Donnelly, Coats, and Visclosky said in their letter, in part, “As you are aware, the City of East Chicago recently submitted an application for Emergency Capital Funds to ensure the safety and security of the site and, ultimately, the demolition of the housing structures. It is evident from our weekly discussions with HUD and the City that these funds are central to providing a long-term solution to address the public health crisis. As such, we respectfully request that HUD move quickly, consistent with U.S. law and public policy, to approve the Emergency Capital Funds for the City of East Chicago.”

The signed letter can be seen here and the full text is below.

October 31, 2016

The Honorable Julián Castro

Secretary

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

451 Seventh Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20410

Dear Secretary Castro,

Thank you for your efforts to date working to relocate the more than 1,000 residents affected by the dangerous levels of lead and arsenic in the soil of the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago, Indiana. 

As you are aware, the City of East Chicago recently submitted an application for Emergency Capital Funds to ensure the safety and security of the site and, ultimately, the demolition of the housing structures. It is evident from our weekly discussions with HUD and the City that these funds are central to providing a long-term solution to address the public health crisis. As such, we respectfully request that HUD move quickly, consistent with U.S. law and public policy, to approve the Emergency Capital Funds for the City of East Chicago.

Thank you again for your response and actions thus far. We stand ready to continue working with you to ensure the health and safety of the residents of East Chicago.

Sincerely,

Joe Donnelly

U.S. Senator

Dan Coats

U.S. Senator

Peter J. Visclosky

U.S. Representative

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