Residents' Guide to
Temporary Relocation
West Calumet Housing Complex
East Chicago, Indiana
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5
August 2016

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Residents' Guide to
Temporary Relocation
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5
August 18, 2016

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Acknowledgments
The United States Environmental Protection Agency would like to
express its appreciation to the East Chicago Housing Authority, the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Indiana
Department of Environmental Management, the Indiana State
Department of Health, Indiana Department of Housing, the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and the United States Army Corps
of Engineers for their valuable assistance in planning and carrying
out the temporary relocation program at the West Calumet Housing
Complex.
Reproduced on recycled paper	Date: August 18, 2016

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U.S. EPA is offering to clean up all homes in the West calumet
Housing Complex to prevent exposure to lead and arsenic dust is
present at hazardous levels. See Section 8 regarding health effects
of lead and arsenic. The residents of each contaminated property
are being asked to relocate temporarily while the cleaning is being
done.
U.S. EPA's cleanup of this site is authorized by a federal law, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as "Superfund."
Superfund authorizes U.S. EPA to identify sites where hazardous
substances have been released into the environment, and directs
U.S. EPA to take action if the hazardous materials could endanger
public health or the environment.
The cleanup activities are being performed by employees and
authorized representatives of U.S. EPA, assisted by agents,
contractors, and subcontractors of U.S. EPA. Many other
government agencies and social service organizations are also
involved, including the Indiana Department of Environmental
Management, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry, the East Chicago Housing Authority, the Indiana State
Department of Health, the Indiana Department of Housing, and the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
29
Table of Contents
SECTION	PAGE
1	Purpose of This Guide	1
2	How to Contact the U.S. EPA	2
U.S. EPA Command Post
3	Preparing For Your Temporary Relocation	4
Where will I be relocated while my home is being
cleaned up?
When will I need to move?
How do I move to my temporary housing?
How long will I be away from my home?
What should I do with my belongings during my
temporary relocation?
What are the packing instructions?
What about my rent, mortgage, and utility payments?
What should I do about my pets and house plants?
What should I do with food items?
Can I leave my car or other vehicles on my property
while I am away?
What about delivery of my mail during my temporary
relocation?
What about school transportation?
What about security while my home is vacant?
4 The Cleaning Process	10
How does U.S. EPA determine which homes need to be
cleaned up?
How will I know that cleanup has begun at my home?
What happens to my belongings during the cleanup?
What does the cleanup process involve?
Can I go inside my home while it is being cleaned up?
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What if I need something from the belongings I left in
my home?
5	Temporary Relocation Benefits	13
What temporary benefits are available to me, and how
do I apply for them?
How will my temporary relocation benefits be paid?
Which of my relocation expenses will be covered?
Which of my expenses will not be covered?
What are my responsibilities while I am receiving this
assistance?
6	Options for Temporary Housing	18
What types of housing is U.S. EPA using for temporary
relocations?
Who pays for my temporary housing?
What should I know if I am relocated to a hotel or
motel?
What should I know about leaving my temporary
housing?
What if I am asked to leave my temporary housing?
7	Returning to Your Home	24
How will I know when I can return to my home?
Can U.S. EPA help me move back to my home?
What happens if any of my items get damaged during
the cleaning process?
Can I use clothes, towels, and bedding that I left behind
in my home?
Are my dishes and cookware safe to use?
8	Information about Lead and Arsenic	26
What is arsenic?
How does arsenic affect my health?
What is lead?
How does lead affect my health?
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9 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery Inc. (USS Lead) was
constructed in East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana in the early
1900s. USS Lead operated first as a primary and then secondary
lead smelter from 1920 to 1985. Smelting operations generated two
primary waste materials - blast-furnace slag and lead-containing
dust. Primary lead smelting volatilized metals, including arsenic.
Blast-furnace slag was stockpiled south of the plant building and
spread once a year over an adjoining 21-acre wetland. During
operations, some lead-containing dust was deposited on area soils
by the wind.
In addition to the USS Lead facility, there are several other potential
sources of lead and arsenic contamination in the residential area,
including the former Anaconda Copper Company (Anaconda) site
and the E.I. DuPont de Nemours Company (DuPont) facility.
Anaconda occupied the area along the Indiana Harbor Canal where
the Carrie Gosch Elementary School and the West Calumet
Housing Complex immediately south of the school are currently
located (the southwest portion of the Residential Area). The
Anaconda site manufactured white lead and zinc oxide, and refined
metal. The DuPont facility, which was located south of the USS
Lead site and east of the former USS Lead facility, manufactured
the pesticide lead arsenate.
This Residents' Guide focuses on the West Calumet Housing
Complex. Other portions of the site are also being evaluated for
cleanup. Yards within the site are contaminated with lead and
arsenic.
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Lead. Yes. A blood test is available to see if you have been
exposed to lead. U.S. EPA recommends that children and pregnant
women have their blood tested. You can contact the East Chicago
Health Department at 219-391-8467 to have the blood lead test
performed.
Will every exposed person have symptoms?
Is there a test to tell if I have been exposed?
Background Information	
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1 PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is
offering to clean all homes in the West Calumet Housing
Complex to prevent exposure to contamination. This is a
voluntary effort and you have the final decision in having U.S.
EPA clean your home. If you choose to have your home
cleaned, U.S. EPA relocation staff will meet with you to discuss
your specific needs for the temporary relocation and cleaning.
U.S. EPA has prepared this Residents' Guide to Temporary
Relocation to answer some basic questions about the
assistance you may receive during your temporary relocation.
When you meet with the U.S. EPA Relocation Team, you will
work out specific details for your situation. This guide answers
questions about the who, what, where, when and how of the
temporary relocation process.
This guide also provides information about the work at the West
Calumet Housing Complex and the temporary relocation
process, but does not create a right or benefit or contain
promises or guarantees by U.S. EPA.
1
What is lead?
Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the
earth's crust. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to
humans and animals.
Lead can be found in all parts of our environment - the air, the soil,
the water, and even inside our homes. Much of our exposure
comes from the use of fossil fuels (including past use of leaded
gasoline), some types of industrial facilities, and past use of lead-
based paint in homes. Lead and lead compounds have been used
in a wide variety of products found in and around our homes,
including paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, solders,
gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics.
How does lead affect my health?
Lead damages the nervous system which can result in changes to
IQ and behavior. Children who have been exposed to high levels of
lead over a long period of time can have lower IQ, attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or delinquency. Since the brain
develops before birth but continues for the first several years of life,
pregnant women and children six years of age and under are at
higher risk than older children and adults.
Will every exposed person have symptoms?
No, not necessarily.
Is there a test to tell if I have been exposed?
Arsenic. Yes. There are tests available to measure arsenic in your
blood, urine, hair and fingernails. The urine test is the most reliable
test for arsenic exposure within the last few days. Tests on hair and
fingernails can measure exposure to high levels of arsenic over the
past 6 to 12 months. These tests can determine if you have been
exposed to above-average levels of arsenic. They cannot predict
whether the arsenic levels in your body will affect your health.
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8 INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD AND
ARSENIC
This section of the Residents' Guide provides detailed information
about lead and arsenic, the contaminants found in the homes being
cleaned by U.S. EPA during the West Calumet Housing Complex
Removal Project.
What is arsenic?
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and in many kinds of rock, especially
in minerals and ores that contain copper or lead. Arsenic
contamination may be associated with lead smelting and refining.
Arsenic may also be added to other metals to form metal mixtures
or alloys with improved properties - for example, in production of
lead-acid batteries for automobiles.
Because arsenic is found naturally in the environment, people in
most communities are exposed to some arsenic by eating food,
drinking water, or breathing air. Residents in West Calumet may
take in additional arsenic by swallowing or breathing in small
particles of dirt and dust. The amount of arsenic that people can
absorb through the skin is minimal. Once a person is removed from
the source of arsenic, most of it will leave their bodies within several
days.
How does arsenic affect my health?
Children and adults who are exposed to arsenic may experience
irritation of the stomach and intestines, blood vessel damage, skin
changes, and reduced nerve function. Long-term exposure in
children may contribute to learning disabilities and other
neurological effects. High levels of arsenic can also increase the
risk of developing cancer.
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2 HOW TO CONTACT U.S. EPA
This section of the Residents' Guide lists the address and
telephone number where you can reach the U.S. EPA
representatives who are responsible for the relocation operations
for the West Calumet Housing Complex Removal Project.
U.S. EPA Command Post
U.S. EPA has set up its command post at the corner of 149th Street
and McCook Avenue in East Chicago. The command post consists
of office trailers from which representatives of U.S. EPA are
directing the cleanup and relocation operations.
U.S. EPA works from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. All
U.S. EPA employees will be wearing agency identification badges
at all times. Do not hesitate to ask to see an identification badge.
You can reach members of the U.S. EPA Relocation Team at the
telephone number listed below. After working hours, you may call
the number and leave a message with your name and phone
number and someone will return your call.
The telephone number is:
219-801-2199
The U.S. EPA Relocation Team is available to assist you in the
following ways:
•	Finding suitable temporary housing for you and your family
•	Making plans for your belongings
•	Coordinating activities on your moving day
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•	Helping you adjust to your temporary housing
•	Arranging for the payment of certain expenses related to your
temporary relocation
•	Taking care of any problems that may occur during your
temporary relocation
•	Keeping you informed about dates for moving and for returning
to your home
•	Answering your questions about the progress on the cleaning of
your home
3
assessment is then presented to you for your approval. If you agree
with the appraisal, you will sign off on the assessment. The U.S.
EPA Relocation Team will work with you to get reimbursement.
If you do not agree with the appraisal, you may appeal in writing.
Speak with a member of the U.S. EPA Relocation Team for further
details about the appeal procedures.
Can I use clothes, towels, and bedding that I left behind in my
home?
Yes. You should launder them as you normally do. Please note that
if you do choose to throw items away after your home has been
cleaned, U.S. EPA cannot reimburse you for the loss of these
items.
Are my dishes and cookware safe to use?
Yes. These items are safe to use and
should just be cleaned as you normally
would.
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7 RETURNING TO YOUR HOME
This section of the Residents' Guide tells you what will happen
when your temporary relocation ends, and also tells you how to
apply for money to replace items that could not be cleaned.
How will I know when I can return to my home?
U.S. EPA will contact you to keep you informed about the progress
of the cleanup at your home. About
24 hours before the cleanup is
complete, U.S. EPA will meet with
you so you can sign a Termination
in Relocation Benefits form. This
form will tell you the date that your
relocation benefits will end,
including payment of temporary
housing costs. A member of the
U.S. EPA Relocation Team will
contact you to arrange a date and time for you to return to your
home.
Can U.S. EPA help me move back to my home?
Moving services can be provided to take you and your belongings
back to your home. Contact a member of the U.S. EPA Relocation
Team to arrange for this service.
What happens if any of my items get damaged during the
cleaning process?
If any items get damaged, U.S. EPA will provide an independent
assessor to estimate the value of the item. Using photographs and
videotapes of your belongings, an independent appraiser
determines a fair value for the items that need to be replaced. The
w»^m
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3 PREPARING FOR TEMPORARY
RELOCATION
This section of the Residents' Guide tells you what you will need to
do to get ready for the time that you will be away from your home.
Where will I be relocated while my home is being cleaned up?
U.S. EPA has made arrangements with several hotels and motels
which are being used as temporary housing for families during the
cleaning of their homes. The Relocation Team will work with you to
find a suitable location for you and your family.
When will I need to move?
U.S. EPA representatives will meet with
you to determine a date and time for your
relocation.
U.S. EPA representatives will determine
the date of your relocation by the
availability of temporary housing and your
specific needs.
How do I move to my temporary housing?
U.S. EPA can provide moving services, including moving vans and
drivers who can help you move your family members and your
belongings. The U.S. EPA Relocation Team will work with you to
arrange for these services.
How long will I be away from my home?
You should plan on being away from your home for five to seven
days. U.S. EPA will notify you in advance if additional time is
needed.
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What should I do with my belongings during my temporary
relocation?
First, make a list of all your
belongings. You may also want to take
photographs for your records. Keep
this list with you, along with all of the
papers that involve your relocation.
The list will provide a record of your
belongings.
For its own records, U.S. EPA will
photograph and videotape each room
of your home at the beginning of the
cleanup. The videos and photos provide U.S. EPA with a record of
the items that were present, and the condition of those items, at the
time that the cleanup workers entered your home to prepare it for
the cleanup process.
What are the packing instructions?
You will need to pack up your
belongings in a special way
described below. In general, you
should take with you all of the
items that you will need for
normal day-to-day living during
the time that you will be staying
in your temporary housing. You
should also bring any personal
documents that you might need to refer to, including papers and
forms related to your temporary relocation. Items to bring to your
temporary housing include the following:
• Clothes and accessories (casual, work, night, sport)
5
•	Misrepresentation or fraud
•	Change of primary residence
•	Criminal activities
If you believe you have been improperly asked to leave your
temporary housing, please contact the U.S. EPA Relocation Team.
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When you leave the hotel or
motel, you must check out by
going to the main desk and
informing the clerk that you are
checking out. At that time, you
will have to pay all bills for
services other than the cost of
your room. As you leave, give
the desk clerk the keys to all
rooms used by you and your
family members.
If you do not leave your temporary housing by the time indicated on
your notice from U.S. EPA, you will be responsible for the charges
for the additional time that you remained there.
What if I am asked to leave my temporary housing?
If the manager of your temporary housing determines that you or
other members of your household are not following the policies of
that housing, you may be asked to leave.
If you are asked to leave the housing that U.S. EPA arranged for
you, the U.S. EPA Relocation Team may not move you to
alternative housing. Your relocation assistance may be terminated,
and you may have to find and pay for temporary housing on your
own.
Reasons for terminating relocation assistance include but are not
limited to the following:
•	Failure to take due care of your temporary housing
•	Failure to comply with hotel or motel rules or with the terms of
your lease, if you are housed in an apartment
•	Failure to pay charges for which you are liable
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•	Personal care items and toiletries (shampoo, soaps, makeup,
hair dryer, medications, sewing kit)
•	Emergency and safety items (spare keys, first aid kit, flashlight)
•	Personal papers and items related to personal business
(insurance, automobile, finance, address book, checkbook,
stationery, postage stamps)
•	Important medical and/or legal documents, including birth
certificates, passports, wills, school registration forms, and proof
of pet vaccinations
•	Valuables and jewelry
•	Prescription drugs and other medication
U.S. EPA will provide you with packing
materials, including boxes, bags and
tape and cushioning material to use in
packing any breakable items. Pack your
belongings securely and seal all boxes
closed with tape. Write "FRAGILE" on
any box that contains breakable items.
Make sure your name is on each box
that is going with you.
All boxes should be numbered (for example, 1 out of 8) and labeled
with your name. If you need more packing materials, contact the
U.S. EPA Relocation Team.
pt
rSONM-
If you have personal items that
you do not want disturbed while
your home is being cleaned, you
may pack them securely and seal
the boxes closed with tape. Write
"PERSONAL" on any box that you
want to remain secured in your
home. These boxes do not need
to be numbered.
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What about my rent, mortgage, and utility payments?
You will have to continue to pay the rent or make the mortgage
payments on your home during your temporary relocation, even
though you will not be living there. Also continue to pay your utility
bills. An allowance will be provided to you when you move back in
to cover the cost of any utilities including water and electricity used
during the cleaning process.
What should I do about my pets and house plants?
Pets (for instance, dogs and cats)
cannot remain in your home
while it is being cleaned up. You
will need to make arrangements
for your pets. Speak with your
neighbors, friends, or relatives,
who may be able to care for your
pets during your temporary
relocation. If this option is not
available to you, a member of the
U.S. EPA Relocation Team can
help you arrange to place your pets in a kennel. U.S. EPA will
transport the pets and pay the kennel costs. Please note, however,
that pets must have received the required immunization shots
before they can be placed in a kennel. Speak with a member of the
U.S. EPA Relocation Team to make kennel arrangements.
If you have large fish tanks or aquariums, you may be able to leave
them in your home with instructions on feeding. The U.S. EPA
Relocation Team will make sure they are fed in your absence.
You may leave your house plants in your home. Please water them
before you leave.
7
• You may be charged for any persons staying with you in your
room who were not members of your household on the date of
your relocation. U.S. EPA will not pay this extra charge.
In addition, your hotel or motel may have other rules or
requirements for its guests. You are expected to comply with these
rules during your temporary relocation.
Most of the hotels and motels that U.S. EPA is using as temporary
housing have coin-operated washers and dryers. Speak to
someone at the main desk of your hotel about the location of these
laundry facilities and the cost of each machine. If you have a
washer and dryer in your home, you will be allowed reimbursable
expenses every four days.
Keep in mind that U.S. EPA is paying for your housing costs only.
You are expected to pay any additional charges that you make to
your hotel/motel room, such as charges for telephone calls, room
service or other food, beverages, video rentals, or pay-per-view
television programs.
What should I know about leaving my temporary housing?
U.S. EPA will provide you a two-day advance notice of the date
when you may return to your home. This notice will be in the form of
a letter that will be delivered to you, notifying you of the date that
your temporary relocation will end. See Section 7 for more
information about moving back to your home.
If your temporary housing is in a hotel or motel, you are expected to
leave by 11 a.m. of the date your temporary relocation ends.
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Cooking or food preparation is not allowed inside hotel rooms.
Hot plates, microwave ovens, or other cooking devices are not
permitted unless supplied by the hotel.
Please do not track mud or dirt into hotel rooms.
No extra furniture is allowed in hotel rooms unless you have
obtained permission from the hotel management.
Housekeeping service is provided in most of the hotels;
however, you are still responsible for the general condition of
your room. You must allow the housekeeping attendant to enter
the room daily to clean and to provide fresh linens.
Please leave wet towels and dirty bed linens in your hotel room.
Do not place these items in the hallway. The hotel
housekeeping service will pick up these items daily.
Please put litter in appropriate trash containers. Trash cans are
provided in the laundry rooms, and dumpsters are located
outside the building. If you have excess trash in your room,
leave it in the wastebasket in your room or take it to a dumpster.
Do not leave it in the hallway.
Most of the hotels have swimming pools that may or may not
have lifeguards in attendance. Please observe the hotel rules
for use of the pool. Also check at the main desk of your hotel or
motel to see if you need to pay a fee to use the pool or other
recreational facilities.
You are responsible for any damage that occurs in your room
during your temporary relocation, such as broken furniture and
staining of carpets or linens. If the hotel charges a replacement
fee for these items, you will be responsible for paying it directly
to the hotel. You will not be reimbursed for these costs.
19
What should I do with food items?
Leave in your home any food that is in your kitchen cabinets that
you will not need while you are away. These items could include
canned food or boxed food (for example, cereals, cake mix, rice,
spaghetti, spices). If you have any of these items on open shelving
or storage units, U.S. EPA workers
will move them, clean the area and
then put the items back.
Try to use perishable food items
(such as dairy products and other
perishables, and frozen food) before
you leave your home, or give them
to neighbors, friends, or relatives.
You may be able to take some of
these items with you to your temporary housing location. If you think
any of these items will not be good before you return, please throw
them away.
Also, before you leave your home, be sure to empty all garbage and
trash containers.
Can I leave my car or other vehicles on my property while I am
away?
No. During the cleaning of your home, U.S. EPA contract workers
will need work space outside your home to set up trailers and
equipment. Parking space will be available at your temporary
housing. You should make arrangements to move all vehicles from
your property during your temporary relocation.
When you meet with U.S. EPA representatives to discuss the
cleanup of your home, you will be given a form to sign which states
that you agree to remove all vehicles from your property before you
leave your home and before the U.S. EPA cleanup begins. As
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indicated on this form, any vehicles found on the property which will
restrict cleanup activities would be removed by U.S. EPA. Any
vehicles that are removed from your property will be stored in a
secure lot until the cleanup of your home has been completed.
What about delivery of mail during my temporary relocation?
Due to the short duration of your relocation, we do not expect any
issues with mail delivery. The post office will still be able to deliver
mail to your box. If you are currently receiving forms of assistance
such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), it is
extremely important that you do not change the address at which
you receive your mail.
What about school transportation?
U.S. EPA has vans and
drivers available to take
children to and from school
Speak with a member of
the U.S. EPA Relocation
Team if your children will
need this service. There is
no cost for the service.
What about security while my home is vacant?
During your temporary relocation, U.S. EPA will have security
guards patrolling your property.
BUS
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9
Who pays for my temporary housing?
If you are relocated to a hotel or motel under arrangements that are
made by U.S. EPA, U.S. EPA will pay the housing costs. If you
choose to rent or sublet your own temporary housing, you will have
to pay and then request reimbursement. You may be reimbursed up
to a maximum of $94 per night. However, you must obtain the
approval of U.S. EPA before you make any commitments to a
landlord or a sublease.
What should I know if I am relocated to a hotel or motel?
If you are housed in a hotel or motel for your temporary relocation,
be aware of the following general policies:
Please be courteous to the
other guests in the hotel. No
loud music or noise is allowed in
guest rooms or in public areas.
Please observe all "No Smoking"
signs in public areas, and do not
smoke in non-smoking rooms.



if
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m

All children must be
accompanied by an adult or
guardian at all times. No running or playing is permitted in the
hallways or public areas.
You are responsible for paying the hotel for all local and long
distance telephone calls. There may be an additional charge to
have the telephone turned on in your room. Incoming calls are
free.
No pets or animals are allowed inside the building or outside of
the hotel unless permission is given from the hotel
management.
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6 OPTIONS FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING
This section of the Residents' Guide tells you about the types of
housing that may be available for your temporary relocation, and
what your responsibilities are while you live there.
What types of housing is U.S. EPA using for temporary
relocations?
You may choose to stay with relatives or
friends for the period of your temporary
relocation. If you do not have this option,
a member of the U.S. EPA Relocation
Team will place you in a hotel or motel
that is available at the time of your
temporary relocation. Arrangements
have been made with several hotels and
motels throughout East Chicago for the
temporary relocation of West Calumet
Housing Complex residents.
A member of the U.S. EPA Relocation Team will meet with you to
discuss any special needs you may have in an effort to determine
the most suitable housing for you and your family. Some factors
that will be considered are whether your household includes small
children, elderly persons, or pets. For example, if you are placed in
a hotel or motel, and your household includes small children or
persons requiring special medications, you may request the use of
a small refrigerator during your temporary relocation.
As another option, you may try on your own to find rental or sublet
housing that will be available for the five to seven days of your
temporary relocation. However, you must have U.S. EPA's approval
before you arrange to rent or sublease housing.
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4 THE CLEANING PROCESS
This section of the Residents' Guide tells you what will happen
inside your home while you are away.
How does U.S. EPA determine which homes need to be
cleaned up?
U.S. EPA is offering to clean all homes in the West Calumet
Housing Complex to prevent exposure to contamination. This is a
voluntary effort and you have the final decision to allow U.S. EPA to
clean your home. If you choose to have your home cleaned, U.S.
EPA relocation staff will meet with you to discuss your specific
needs for the temporary relocation and cleaning.
How will I know that cleanup has begun at my home?
U.S. EPA will be using many crews with more than 100 total
workers to perform performing the necessary work to clean up your
home. One of these crews will bring its trailers and equipment to
your property and park them outside your home. A fence will be
temporarily installed around the working area, and a security guard
will be on-site after working hours. The cleanup crew will work from
about 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and some
Saturdays.
U.S. EPA will hand out information packets to residents about the
work being done.
What happens to my belongings during the cleanup?
The items you leave in your home will remain where you left them
and will not be removed. Before the workers begin the cleanup of
your home, they will videotape each room and photograph the items
you left in your home. The videos and photos provide U.S. EPA with
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a record of the items that were present, and the condition of those
items, at the time the cleanup workers entered your home to
prepare it for the cleanup process.
What does the cleanup process involve?
Workers who are trained and experienced in hazardous materials
cleanup will be cleaning your home. Workers who enter your home
will wear special equipment
to keep from tracking dust
and dirt into your home.
Cleaning will primarily
consist of HEPA vacuuming,
steam cleaning, wet wiping,
washing and mopping the
residence and its contents.
A negative air unit will
minimize the amount of
airborne dust. In general a
"top down" approach will be
applied to cleaning. Work
will start at the ceiling and progress down to the floor. Particular
attention will be paid to cleaning horizontal surfaces.
Soft furniture, carpeting, large comforters and drapes will be steam-
cleaned. Walls, cabinets and electronic items will be wet wiped and
floors will be mopped. The furnace/air conditioner will be shut-off
during cleaning in order to clean ducts, and the filter will be
replaced upon completion of cleaning.
You will be responsible for cleaning any bedsheets, pillow cases
and blankets. These items require normal cleaning.
Contaminated cleanup materials will be bagged and placed into a
roll-off box staged in the support zone outside of the east entrance
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What are my responsibilities while I am receiving this
assistance?
During the time that you are receiving Temporary Relocation
Benefits and Assistance for Superfund Sites, your responsibilities
include but are not limited to the following:
•	Helping U.S. EPA to determine the types of assistance you and
other members of your household will require by providing the
information the U.S. EPA Relocation Team requested during
their interview with you.
•	Informing the U.S. EPA Relocation Team about any special
needs (for example, arrangements for pets, school
transportation for children, medical problems or disabilities of
members of your household)
•	Retaining all forms, bills, and
receipts associated with your
relocation
•	Complying with the rules of the
housing (hotel, motel, or apartment)
where you are staying until you
return to your home
•	Complying with the terms of your
reimbursement agreement
•	Making arrangements on your own for transportation to work, to
medical or other appointments, and to the post office or other
errands.
•	Taking due care of your temporary residence
•	Leaving your temporary residence when you are notified that
your home is ready for you to live in again.
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Which of my expenses will not be covered?
U.S. EPA will not pay your rent or the mortgage
on your home during your temporary relocation
(see Section 3, "Preparing for Temporary
Relocation"). Because you would be paying these
costs if you were not relocated, these payments
are not considered to be additional costs caused
by your relocation, even though you will not be
living in your home.
Other expenses for which you will not be reimbursed include but are
not limited to:
•	Expenses that you incur without the approval of U.S. EPA
•	Damage caused by pets
•	Damage which you, your family, or your guests cause to your
temporary housing, its furniture, or recreation equipment
•	The cost of temporary housing beyond the date on which your
temporary relocation period ends
•	Expenses related to accidents, injuries, or illnesses that you
may experience during your temporary relocation period
•	Charges to your room if you are housed in a hotel or motel
(such as room service or other food, beverages, long distance
telephone charges, video rentals, pay-per-view television
programs)
•	Legal fees or other costs for preparing a claim for relocation
payment or for representing the claimant
•	Expenses for searching for temporary housing
•	Duplicate benefits
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to the complex. Decontamination water will be drummed and stored
in the staging area.
Can I go inside my home while it is being cleaned up?
No. Workers will be working in your home and furniture and floors
may be wet. There may also be equipment left in your home while
the cleaning is taking place. By staying out of your home, crews can
work faster and safer so you can return home sooner.
What if I need something from the belongings I left in my
home?
U.S. EPA asks that you plan carefully, making sure that you bring
with you all of the items that you know you will need while you are
away from your home. Ask neighbors, friends, or relatives to store
any other items you might need during your temporary relocation.
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5 TEMPORARY RELOCATION BENEFITS
You will have some additional expenses because of your temporary
relocation. This section of the Residents' Guide tells you which of
these expenses will be paid by U.S. EPA as temporary benefits,
which expenses will be reimbursed, and which expenses you will be
responsible for paying.
Any benefits you receive during your temporary relocation are
called Temporary Relocation Benefits and Assistance for Superfund
Sites. The following is a general description of the types of
assistance that are available.
What temporary benefits are available to me, and how do I
apply for them?
U.S. EPA is providing temporary
benefits to persons temporarily
relocated during the cleanup of
their homes. The U.S. EPA
Relocation Team will determine
who is eligible to receive these
benefits.
Before you are relocated, a U.S. EPA Relocation Team member will
help you fill out the necessary forms to apply for your relocation
assistance. Although the amount will vary according to individual
needs, the eligible categories of assistance include:
•	Temporary housing during the period of time that U.S. EPA has
determined that you must be relocated (generally this will be five
to seven days).
•	Money for incidental costs.
•	If you are housed in a hotel or motel, money for food.
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When you are relocated from your home, you will receive a letter
from U.S. EPA that tells you what assistance you and your family
are eligible to receive, and the procedures for making claims and for
appealing relocation assistance determinations.
How will my temporary relocation benefits be paid?
Your temporary relocation benefits will be in the form of a pre-paid
credit card loaded with funds. U.S. EPA Relocation Team staff will
discuss with you the benefits you will receive.
Which of my relocation expenses will be covered?
Temporary relocation benefits are not intended to
cover all of the expenses or losses associated with
the contamination. You can apply for money to
reimburse you for certain costs which are related to
your relocation. The costs that can be reimbursed
include:
$
• Mileage differential from temporary housing to
work. For example, if you drove five miles to work
from your home and your temporary housing is now 9 miles
away, you would be eligible to receive mileage expenses for
eight miles per day.
• Public transportation costs you incur while away from your
home during this temporary relocation. You must keep receipts
for these expenses.
Upon returning to your home, you will receive a pre-paid card in the
amount of $50.00 for incidental expenses. This allowance covers
the cost of any utilities including water and electricity the cleaning
crew may use during the cleaning process. You are eligible to
receive this allowance, regardless of the type of temporary housing
to which you are relocated. Please note that the allowance is paid
after you have returned to your home.
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