HUD Archives: News Releases
Kristine Foye
(617) 994-8218		 For Release
Tuesday
September 27, 2005

HUD AWARDS $3 MILLION IN VERMONT TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM DANGEROUS LEAD AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS
Funding part of $139 million awarded nationwide to make low-income housing safer and healthier

Thousands of children and families in 26 states will live in healthier and safer homes because of more than $139
million in grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In Vermont, $3 million was awarded to the Vermont Housing Conservation Board to reduce or eliminate all lead-based paint hazards in 220
eligible housing units throughout the state.

VHCB will partner with numerous non-profit, community-based and private organizations to educate and raise public awareness through outreach. The VHCB will continue its effort to increase compliance with Vermont's Essential Maintenance Practices (EMP) lead law, as well as, to promote the creation of jobs for low-income individuals through a partnership with the LeadSafe micro-business development program at the Central Vermont Community Action Council. The VHCB will partner with the following organizations to implement the application's proposed activities:
the State of Vermont's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program under the Department of Health, Vermont Lead Safety Project, the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, the Vermont Association of Public Housing Directors, LeadSafe Bellows Falls, and numerous other local homeownership centers and non-profit throughout the State. The VHCB will contribute over $2,550,000 in matching and/or contributions.

Through seven grant programs, HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control promotes local efforts to eliminate dangerous lead from lower income homes; stimulates private sector investment in lead hazard control; educates the public about the dangers of lead-based paint; funds model programs that promote healthier and safer home environments; and, supports scientific research into innovative methods to identify and eliminate health
hazards in housing.

"Families need a safe and healthy home to raise their kids," said HUD Regional Director Taylor Caswell. "The funding
we announce today supports programs that protect children from a variety of health and safety hazards and represents another step toward ending childhood lead poisoning once and for all."

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

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NOTE: For information on how the grantee will implement the funding, please call Rick DeAngelis, Associate Housing Director (802) 828-3526. For more information on HUD's Lead Grant programs, or other HUD programs, call Kristine Foye, (617) 994-8218.

 
 
Content Archived: August 23, 2011