HUD AWARDS $2.5 MILLION TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN RHODE ISLAND 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 $2.5 million in grants to the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation will be awarded $2.3 million in Lead Based Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. The Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation will address lead hazards in 200 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. Rhode Island Housing will also perform healthy homes assessments in 180 units. Rhode Island Housing will collaborate with the Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development, Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Office of Weatherization, National Grid, Cities of Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket, Blackstone Valley Community Action Program, Providence Community Action Program, West Bay Community Action Program, East Bay Community Action Program, Housing Network of Rhode Island, Community College of Rhode Island, Amos House, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, and the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning. Contact Person: Russell Johnson, (401) 450-1386.

"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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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)

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.