Albany, N.Y. — U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,000,000 in federal funds to the City of Albany. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration program. The City of Albany will use the funding to address lead hazards in 150 housing units to provide safer homes for low income families.
“Lead poisoning is an irreversible, preventable tragedy that robs many families and children of their future,” said Senator Schumer. “We must do everything we can to eliminate lead from our homes and this major federal grant will do just that, by injecting much-needed funds into lead remediation and prevention. These funds are an investment in the health, safety and future of communities in the City of Albany.”
“This federal funding through HUD would help support the City’s efforts in identifying households that have significant lead hazards and help expand their ability to collectively remove lead based paints and other health hazards,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Lead poisoning causes severe mental and physical health problems and it is important to remove those hazards from our homes so we can keep our families safe. Albany will now have access to additional resources to help protect residents and prevent exposure to this dangerous substance.”
Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “I want to thank the Department of Housing and Urban Development for awarding the City of Albany $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding. This important funding advances our goals of environmental justice and a strong Equity Agenda. I appreciate all of the work that Senator Gillibrand has done to support and advocate for this funding that will help protect our families and provide safer homes for our children.”
Earlier this year, Senator Gillibrand met with Mayor Sheehan to discuss solutions necessary to reduce lead hazards in the community. The City of Albany will partner with the Albany County Health Department and Flatley, Read LLC to implement the project. HUD funded 15 projects nationwide totaling $46,577,427.50; Schumer and Gillibrand secured funding for projects in Western New York and Central New York in addition to the Capital Region.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), lead is much more harmful to children than adults because it can affect children’s developing nerves and brains. Lead-based paint, still encasing homes’ walls, often erodes and settles on children’s toys on the floor, falling into the hands and mouths of children. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have long advocated for protecting New York children and families in the past by securing millions of dollars in federal funding to eradicate the toxic element from homes, reducing lead-poisoning cases. Lead poisoning can cause developmental difficulties, physical pain, and neurological damage.
The purpose of the LHRD program is to identify and control lead based paint hazards in programs are to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned housing for rental or owner-occupants. These grants are used for lead evaluation, lead hazard control activities, lead safe construction and maintenance work practices.
The full text of the Senators’ letters to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are included below:
Senator Schumer’s letter HERE
Senator Gillibrand’s letter HERE
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