Rep. Watson Coleman Helps Secure $925K Grant from Department of Housing and Urban Development for Lead Removal
Trenton is one of 38 Public Housing Agencies to receive grants to reduce harmful lead
Washington, D.C. (August 23, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, announced that the City of Trenton had received critical Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants to identify and reduce lead-based pain hazards in thousands of older public housing units. The Trenton Housing Authority was awarded $925,000 dollars to support its effort to remove lead paint from its older housing stock.
Most houses in Trenton were built before lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978 putting thousands at risk, especially young children who are especially vulnerable to the detrimental effects of lead.
“There’s been plenty of news coverage in cities where lead has leeched into the water supply, and people are becoming aware of the severe and long-term impact of lead poisoning. In our communities, that lead is lurking in windowsills instead of faucets, but presents just as great a threat,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Now, Trenton will finally have the resources to remove this dangerous toxin from the homes of some of its most vulnerable children. We are in desperate need of work to update and rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. This should be just one step in a larger plan.”
In addition to funding for public housing authorities, HUD will also award $330 million later this year to clean up lead-based paint and other health and safety hazards in privately-owned, low-income housing.