CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – More than $1.4 million in federal funding has been awarded to reduce lead-based paint hazards in homes across Virginia, targeting older residences where lead exposure remains a factor. This is in addition to the $11.6 million in federal funding announced in October as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program.

“Lead poisoning can pose long-term health issues for those exposed,” said Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner said in a joint statement. “This funding will help to protect Virginians from lead-based hazards and help ensure they have safe housing.”

The $1.4 million is allocated:

  • $750,000 for the City of Roanoke.
  • $700,000 for the Commonwealth of Virginia, distributed statewide through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program Description: to maximize the number of children under the age of six protected from lead poisoning by assisting states, cities, counties/parishes, Native American Tribes or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations. In addition, there is Healthy Homes Supplemental funding available that is intended to enhance the lead-based paint hazard control activities by comprehensively identifying and addressing other housing hazards that affect occupants’ health. Proposed projects involving abatement, repair or rehabilitation require completion of an environmental review before work begins.