HUD AWARDS $7.5 MILLION TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN CONNECTICUT FROM LEAD AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS
Funding to make low-income housing safer and healthier

BOSTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $7.5 million in grants to three local projects in Connecticut to protect children and families from the hazards of lead-based paint and from other home health and safety hazards.

The awards are a part of $98.3 million in funds awarded to 38 projects across the country to clean up lead paint hazards and other health hazards in 6,373 high-risk homes, train workers in lead-safe work practices, and increase public awareness about childhood lead poisoning. Lead is a known toxin that can impair children's development and have effects lasting into adulthood.

The City of Bridgeport will be awarded $2,299,960 in Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. The City will address lead hazards in 110 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City will also perform healthy homes assessments in 110 units. The City of Bridgeport will collaborate with the City's Health Department, Central Grants, Housing and Community Development department. Contact Person: Renu Gupta (renu.gupta@bridgeportct.gov), phone (203) 576-7732.

The City of New London will be awarded $1,829,956 in Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $191,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. The City will address lead hazards in 85 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City will also perform healthy homes assessments in 60 units. The City will collaborate with the City of New London, Ledge Light Health District, Community Health Center and OIC of New London County. Contact Person: Tom Bombria (tbombria@ci.new-london.ct.us), phone (860) 437-6346.

The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services will be awarded $3 million in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding. The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services will address lead hazards in 191 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The State Department of Social Services will collaborate with the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Connecticut Children's, City of Danbury, Town of Enfield, Town of Manchester, City of Meriden, City of Norwalk, Torrington Area Health District and City of West Haven. Contact Person: Donna Balaski (donna.balaski@ct.gov), phone (860) 424-5342.

"Childhood lead poisoning is completely preventable and that's exactly what these funds are designed to do," said HUD Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones. "The communities receiving these grants are helping their children grow up brighter, safer and healthier."

"Providing healthy and safe homes for families and children is a top priority for HUD," said Barbara Fields, HUD New England Regional Administrator. "HUD is committed to protecting Connecticut children from the hazards that can be caused by deteriorated lead paint, and mold that follows moisture intruding into the home."

These grant programs of HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control promote local efforts to eliminate dangerous lead hazards from lower income homes; stimulate private sector investment in lead hazard control; and educate the public about the dangers of lead-based paint.

Lead Hazard Control Grant Programs

Even though lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, HUD estimates that approximately 24 million homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today. Lead-contaminated dust is the primary cause of lead exposure and can lead to a variety of health problems in young children, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, reduced height, and impaired hearing. At higher levels, lead can damage a child's kidneys and central nervous system and cause anemia, coma, convulsions and even death.

The funding announced today directs critical funds to cities, counties and states to eliminate dangerous lead paint hazards in thousands of privately-owned, low-income housing units. These funds are provided through HUD's Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant programs. To expand the reach of HUD's Lead Hazard Control Program. HUD is also providing over $4.4 million to help communities transform their lead hazard control programs to address multiple housing-related hazards.

The following is a breakdown of Connecticut funding announced today:

*Grant program abbreviations are as follows:

LBPHC - Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program
(includes Healthy Homes Initiative supplemental funding, as applicable)

LHRD - Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program

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