Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WILMINGTON, Del. – Delaware’s congressional delegation of U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.), today announced an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to New Castle County as part of the federal government’s mission to abate lead and make homes safer and healthier for low-income families.
“Today’s grant announcement is a big step forward in strengthening our communities and improving the lives of so many families,” said Senator Carper. “Across the country, we’ve seen the terrible effects of lead – especially in our most vulnerable communities. I’m proud of the steps this administration has taken to help our residents have a safe and healthy home.”
“For far too long, our nation has allowed children in underserved communities in Delaware and across the country to live in homes where they’re dangerously at risk of lead poisoning that can stunt their physical and mental development and lead to lifelong sickness or death,” said Senator Coons. “I’m glad that the Biden administration has finally made lead remediation for our most vulnerable children a priority, and I hope that this funding will make homes in New Castle County safer places for Delawareans to raise their families with dignity and security.”
“There should be no higher priority for government than protecting the health and safety of its citizens. Today’s announcement by the Biden administration is another example of their commitment to protect underserved communities throughout the United States,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “This investment of $8 million will go directly to protecting families in New Castle County who have lived with lead exposure – creating safer homes and, ultimately, safer communities.”
“We’re excited to learn about this critical investment to help us continue our fight against lead paint in our communities,” said County Executive Matt Meyer. “I am especially thankful to our federal delegation in securing the funds for this program.”
“Today, we are extending our efforts to improve the health and safety of children and other members of families with low incomes,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “The funding provided today will help these families – especially their children – to be healthier and to improve their attendance and experiences in school and work over the coming decades.”
Last week, HUD announced over $125 million in grants, including $13 million in HUD’s Healthy Homes Supplemental funding, that went to 26 state and local government agencies to protect children and families from lead-based paint hazards and additional home health hazards. Included in that funding was $8 million that will go to New Castle County through the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program. The HUD investment will remediate 325 units across the county.
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