Maine Housing Authority nets $3.4M for lead reduction

The aging housing stock of many homes in Maine’s real estate market will be getting a boost for lead abatement, as the Maine State Housing Authority will be awarded $3 million in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding and $400,000 in Healthy Homes Supplemental funding.

The authority will address lead hazards in 230 housing units across the state, and will also perform healthy homes interventions in 120 units, according to a release by the office of U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King.

“This funding is a welcome and timely investment in the continued effort to make homes safer and healthier for families across Maine,” King said in a prepared statement. “It’s important that we continue to work across all levels of government to ensure that Maine people have access to safe housing that will allow them to thrive, and this funding will be an important step in that direction.”

The Maine State Housing Authority will partner with Maine Housing, Maine Centers for Disease Control, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Aroostook County Action Program, Penquis Community Action Agency, Community Concepts Inc., Healthy Homes Advisory Council, Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, homeowners and rental property owners to implement the program, according to a release.