Maine Receives Nearly $15M to Reduce Lead-Paint Hazards

The state of Maine received nearly $15 million in funding to reduce lead hazards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds will go towards abatement projects in Biddeford, Lewistown, and Portland primarily, the Portland Press Herald reports.

About 68% of downtown Lewiston housing was built before 1940, which means it’s more likely to have lead paint, said Kristen Cloutier, the mayor of Lewiston, which will receive $5.2 million.

“The federal government has been a critical partner in our efforts to combat this public health hazard, awarding the city a total of $14.6 million in grant funds since 2002 to make our housing stock lead-safe, and to educate residents on how to protect their children from the hazards of lead paint,” she said.

Another $2.5 million will go toward lead paint abatement and healthy home assessments in Portland. Biddeford will receive $3.2 million, and the Maine State Housing Authority is netting $3.8 million.