HUD AWARDS $13.7 MILLION TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN CONNECTICUT FROM DANGEROUS LEAD AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS
Funding part of $118 million awarded nationwide to make low-income housing safer and healthier

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded more than $118 million in grants to dozens
of state and local communities, public health organizations and scientific research institutions to better protect children and families from dangerous lead-based paint and other home health and safety hazards. In Connecticut, $13.7 million in total funding was awarded to the City of Hartford, the State of Connecticut, and to the Saint
Francis Hospital and Medical Center (see attached list of grant amounts and grant summaries).

"Today, we take another step closer toward ending childhood lead poisoning and making our homes safer and
healthier places in which to raise our children," said HUD Regional Director Taylor Caswell. "While we've made great progress in reducing lead poisoning, we cannot rest until we banish this preventable disease to the history books."

HUD grants will help 63 state and local projects around the country to conduct a wide range of activities including cleaning up lead-based paint hazards and improving living conditions of lower income families. Through seven grant programs, HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control promotes local efforts to eliminate dangerous
lead and other hazards from lower income homes; stimulates private sector investment in lead hazard control; educates the public about the dangers of lead-based paint; and supports scientific research into innovative
methods to identify and eliminate health hazards in housing.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.

###

Lead Hazard Control and Office of Healthy Homes Grants Connecticut

• The City of Hartford's Department of Health and Human services will be awarded $3,000,000 under the
  Lead Hazard Control and $3,416,713 under the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Programs to
  provide for lead remediation activities in 295 and 325 housing units, respectively. The City of Hartford,
  through its collaborative efforts with local partners, will improve its community outreach and education
  techniques and most of all provide much need affordable lead-safe housing options.
  Contact: Dr. Ramon Rajano, Lead Prevention and Remediation Program (860) 543-8898.
  
  
• The State of Connecticut will be awarded $3,000,000 under the Lead Hazard Control and $4,000,000
  under the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Programs to complete lead hazard control in 280 and
  388 units, respectively. The State of Connecticut Lead Action For Medicaid Primary Prevention (lampp)
  project provides early intervention and prevention services to Medicaid enrolled and other low-income
  children under six years old. Both grants focus on protecting children at lower blood levels and preventing
  exposure to future residents of those same housing units. The initiative is targeted in fourteen cities where
  a large number of Medicaid enrolled children reside.
  Contact: David Parrella, Director of Medical Care Administration (860) 424-5116.
  
  
• The Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, located in Hartford, will be awarded $298,058 to conduct outreach in conjunction with two HUD-funded Connecticut regional lead treatment centers. This outreach approach is designed to reach families housed in buildings where children with elevated blood-lead levels
  reside. St. Francis will work with the United Way, McDonald's restaurants, and the American Academy of
  Pediatrics to provide support services. St. Francis will also disseminate lead poisoning prevention information through the state's 2-1-1 telephone hotline.
  Contact: Ms. Mary Stuart, Grant Writer (860) 714-4095.