Lynn lands $2M grant to abate lead paint

LYNN – The federal government is stepping in with abatement funds for low-income residents who want to rid their living quarters of lead paint hazards but can’t afford it.The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Tuesday announced it is awarding more than $118 million in grants for a wide range of projects, including one designed to eliminate lead hazards in approximately 9,000 homes. Lynn is slated to receive $2 million in Lead-based Paint Hazard-Control funds to establish a comprehensive lead-paint abatement program. The goal is to provide safe and affordable housing while ensuring that low-income families no longer have to choose between a lead-safe environment for their children and housing they can afford.The program trains workers in lead removal safety methods and aims to increase public awareness about childhood lead poisoning. Lead is a known neuro-toxin that can impair children’s development and have effects lasting into adulthood and other materials in the home can trigger allergic responses and asthma.Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. said U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney was instrumental in ensuring that the much-needed funds were given to Lynn.”As we all know, Lynn has an aging housing stock that still contains a significant number of lead paint units. This program will create additional safe housing for Lynn families with young children,” the mayor said.Lynn continues to rank among Massachusetts communities with the highest risk of childhood lead poisoning, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Among the criteria used to determine risk are the number of Lynn children identified as having elevated blood lead levels each year, the age of the existing housing stock and other socio-economic factors including the percentage of low-income families.The proposed program will provide lead paint and soil abatement in 125 housing units, blood lead screening and economic and training opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and businesses. It will also provide primary prevention services in the form of outreach and education to Lynn’s most vulnerable populations.The $2 million Lynn grant, to be spent over three years, will be administered by the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND).LHAND Executive Director Charles Gaeta noted that the grant, combined with other local, state, and federal resources totaling $752,119, “will strengthen the foundation of existing efforts and help implement a sustainable, community-wide initiative to combat childhood lead poisoning.”