Mayor Sanchez Announces $5.6 in Federal Funds for Lead Abatement in New Britain

Mayor Bobby Sanchez today announced that the City of New Britain has received approximately $5.6 million “to continue the City’s work reducing lead hazards and improving the health and safety of homes across the community.”

“This investment is about more than removing lead paint. It is about protecting New Britain’s children, preserving our homes, and making sure every family has the opportunity to live in a safe and healthy environment,” said Mayor Sanchez.

Mayor Sanchez made the announcement of the funds, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), at City Hall with Christopher Corcoran, manager of Connecticut Children’s Healthy Homes Program, to announce the four-year Lead Hazard Reduction grant.

“CT Children’s is thrilled again to partner with the City of New Britain on this exciting grant to help families live in safe and healthy homes,” said Chris Corcoran. “We want to ensure that children live in safe, affordable, and stable housing and this grant will allow us to remove hazards such as lead, asbestos, mold, moisture, and other hazards.”

The city says that the, “funding builds on the City’s longstanding lead and Healthy Homes work. The goal is to make 166 housing units lead-safe and to complete about 80 additional Healthy Homes interventions over the four-year grant period. In the first year, the City aims to complete 20 lead-safe units while building a pipeline of eligible properties for future work.”

The city adds that the fund will be used for lead testing and for preparing for and performing lead abatement.

“Much of New Britain’s housing was built before 1978,” the city points out, “when lead-based paint was banned for residential use. That makes lead hazard reduction an important part of the City’s efforts to protect children and families.”

“No parent should have to wonder whether the home where their child sleeps, eats, and plays is putting their child’s health at risk,” said Mayor Sanchez. “We also know this process can seem overwhelming for homeowners and landlords. Our goal is to make it understandable and help eligible residents through the program from application to completion.”

“This grant allows us to build on years of experience and continue putting federal resources directly to work in our neighborhoods,” Sanchez added. “I want to thank HUD for continuing to invest in New Britain, as well as our Planning and Development Department, Health Department, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and the contractors and community partners who work every day to turn these dollars into results for our residents.”

The City says that it, “encourages residents, landlords, and property owners to find out whether their property may qualify, especially owners of older homes where young children live or spend significant time. For information on eligibility and how to apply, contact Margaret Malinowski at 860-826-3341 or visit the Planning and Development programs page at www.newbritainct.gov.”