HUD Awards Rhode Island Housing $3.1M for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program

PROVIDENCE – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Corp. $3.1 million in funding Thursday for its lead-based paint hazard control grant program.

 

Rhode Island Housing will use the funding to evaluate 260 homes for lead hazards, eliminate lead hazards in 233 homes, conduct outreach and education for 1,425 people and provide training to 327 individuals, according to HUD’s website.

 

“We cannot allow children to be poisoned in their homes,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in a news release.

 

Rhode Island’s portion was part of a $127 million funding announcement for 48 projects related to lead-based paint and healthy homes awareness throughout the United States. HUD estimates that 24 million homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today.

 

The $127 million will go to clean up more than 11,000 homes, train workers in lead safety methods and increase public awareness about childhood lead poisoning, HUD said.

“It’s simple: you can’t be healthy if your home is sick. There are far too many ‘sick homes’ in our communities, and these funds will target the worst of those homes,” said HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims.

 

Rhode Island Housing will collaborate on the project with the R.I. Department of Health, Community College of Rhode Island, Building Futures, West Bay Community Action Inc., Blackstone Valley Community Action, East Bay Community Action and Childhood Lead Action Project.