Boston Gets Funding to Protect Against Lead Poisoning

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The City of Boston was selected to receive $3.2 million in funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will be used to further reduce the risk of childhood lead poisoning in Boston.

“In Boston, we are continuing our work to ensure that our youngest residents are living in safe and healthy conditions,” said Mayor Walsh. “I would like to thank HUD and Secretary Castro for providing us with these resources to make significant improvements throughout our neighborhoods.”

The funding comes as part of a $101 million competitive HUD funding round which will be awarded to 32 city, county and state governments. These funds will protect families by targeting health hazards in more than 6,000 low-income homes with significant lead and/or other home health and safety hazards.

As part of this funding, Boston’s Lead Safe Boston program will be awarded $2,906,610 in Lead Hazard Control grant program funding and $325,000 in Healthy Homes supplemental funding. These funds will address lead hazards in 178 housing units, providing safer homes for low- and very low-income families with children. The Lead Hazard Control grant program will also perform healthy homes assessments in 70 units.

Boston is a national leader in the effort to protect children from lead poisoning. According to the Boston Public Health Commission, the percentage of screened children with elevated blood lead levels has been steadily declining since 1995.