WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the Maine State Housing Authority will be awarded $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding and $400,000 in Healthy Homes Supplemental funding. The Authority will address lead hazards in 230 housing units providing safer homes for low- and very low-income families with children. The Housing Authority will also perform healthy homes interventions in 120 units.

“Lead poisoning poses a very serious health threat, particularly in New England where our housing stock is older than in most other states,” said Senator Collins.  “I have worked to raise awareness about this dangerous and too often unseen problem since the beginning of my service in the U.S. Senate and as the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I have successfully secured robust funding for lead abatement programs.  The $3.4 million provided to the Maine State Housing Authority is excellent news and will help ensure that hundreds of Maine families have safe and healthy homes.”

“This funding is a welcome and timely investment in the continued effort to make homes safer and healthier for families across Maine,” Senator King said. “It’s important that we continue to work across all levels of government to ensure that Maine people have access to safe housing that will allow them to thrive, and this funding will be an important step in that direction.”

The Maine State Housing Authority will partner with Maine Housing, Maine Centers for Disease Control, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Aroostook County Action Program, Penquis Community Action Agency, Community Concepts, Inc., Healthy Homes Advisory Council, Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, homeowners, and rental property owners to implement the Program.

As the Chairman of the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins recently secured a number of provisions to increase the federal government’s commitment to lead abatement in the THUD funding bill. Senator King sent a letter in March to the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee calling for a strong investment in lead abatement efforts. The bill was approved by the full Senate by a vote of 89-8 and currently awaits consideration by the House of Representatives.

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