Harriett Williams, left, works through homework with
her granddaughter, Janiya Williams, 6, at their home Detroit.
"Concentrate," Harriett said. "It's going to take all of your
mind. You want it to be perfect. As perfect as Janiya can make it." The
12-room house, built in 1891, is covered inside and outside with lead paint
and is falling apart due to disrepair. Janiya, who has lived with her
grandmother for three years, had a blood-lead level of 11.2 when she was 5.
After applying for grants, Harriett was told that before lead abatement can
begin on the house it must undergo structural repair. She said she was told
that it would cost about $80,000 to make the house lead-safe.
