City of New London Awarded Federal Funds for Lead Abatement and Healthy Homes Programs

The City of New London has been awarded $2,020,956 in federal funds for lead abatement and healthy homes remediation. The award is part of $98.3 million in funding by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded to 38 cities across the country. This funding will allow the City to eliminate dangerous lead hazards from low income homes.  Utilizing HUD established income guidelines units may be eligible for up to $10,000 per unit, properties occupied by a child under the age of six will receive priority, other requirements may also apply. Eligible housing units will be inspected and abated of lead hazards by Connecticut Licensed Inspectors and pre-qualified Lead Abatement Contractors.  If eligible, qualified owner occupied properties may receive additional funding for code compliance through the CDBG funded Housing Conservation program. 

"These Federal funds will go a very long way in assisting the City in revitalizing neighborhoods and improving public health," said Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio.

The city’s Office of Development and Planning has successfully managed the grant-funded, Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Program (LPHRP) since 1998, as well as a Healthy Homes Production grant.  These programs have created 327 privately-owned lead-safe housing units and 37 units have been remediated of health and safety hazards.  It is estimated that 78% of New London’s housing stock contains lead-based paint hazards, according to the City’s Office of Development & Planning Director Tammy Daugherty.  

LPHRP’s goal is to identify and eliminate lead hazards thereby reducing childhood lead exposure and poisoning through multiple means: abating a minimum 90 units of lead hazards, informing the public of the health hazards of lead paint to children less than six years of age, performing blood lead screening of children, and increase the employability of residents by training and certification.  LPHRP will continue to utilize the expertise of its existing staff, which includes highly experienced personnel in home rehabilitation, lead hazard control design, and fiscal responsibility to implement this funding. The program has partnered with Ledge Light Health District, OIC, the New London Community Health Center and several other area community based organizations to provide education and outreach to the community.

New London residents are encouraged to contact the LPHRP staff to learn more about childhood lead poisoning, lead based paint hazards and the financial assistance available for lead abatement, healthy homes remediation, and housing rehabilitation. For more information, please contact the City of New London’s Office of Development and Planning: Judi Cox, Loan Specialist, (860) 447-5243 or Eileen Tedford, Lead Program Manager, (860) 437-6327.