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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The city of Lewiston will be awarded $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant funding and $400,000 in Healthy Homes Supplemental funding, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, R- Maine, the chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, announced June 21. The city will use the funding to help address lead hazards in 220 housing units, providing safer homes for low- and very low-income families with children, according to a news release from Collins’ office.
“Lead poisoning is a very serious public health threat, particularly in New England where our housing stock is older than in most other states. In 1999, during my first term in office, I held a field hearing on lead poisoning in Lewiston. Since that time, I have strongly advocated for increased funding for programs to address lead abatement,” Collins said. “As the chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I have successfully secured robust funding for lead abatement programs. This $3.4 million investment to reduce lead hazards is excellent news and will help ensure that more Maine families will have safe and healthy homes.”
Collins secured a number of provisions to increase the federal government’s commitment to lead abatement, according to her release. In the fiscal year 2017 funding bill, Collins secured a $35 million increase in funding.
