PROVIDENCE, RI– Mayor Brett P. Smiley today announced that the City of Providence has been awarded a $6.5 million federal Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program grant to support the City’s ongoing commitment to the health and safety of residents, especially vulnerable children. The grant will fund comprehensive lead hazard reduction initiatives in older homes throughout the city, which are disproportionally affected by lead-based paint, a leading cause of childhood lead poisoning. Providence, with an outsized stock of aging homes, faces unique challenges in combatting this serious health issue.
“We are thrilled to receive this federal funding and are deeply appreciative to our Congressional Delegation for supporting our efforts to create safer and healthier homes across Providence,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “Lead poisoning is a preventable tragedy, and with this grant, we can target the most at-risk communities, provide essential resources for our neighbors and protect the wellbeing of our children through the Lead Safe Providence Program.”
Lead poisoning is a critical public health issue, especially in cities like Providence, where many homes were built before the federal ban on lead-based paint in 1978. Lead exposure can cause serious and irreversible health issues, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges. Though Providence has made strides in lead hazard control in recent years, the issue remains a public health priority.
The federal grant, secured with support from Rhode Island’s congressional delegation, will be used to fund a multipronged approach, including:
- Free comprehensive lead-based paint inspections at eligible properties.
- Forgivable lending to owner-occupied and investor-owned properties to eliminate identified lead hazards.
- Grant funding to address related “healthy housing” repairs, such as mold or asbestos, found during inspections.
- Sponsoring free Lead Worker trainings and certifications for an estimated 100 residents to expand the qualified construction workforce in Providence.
“Providence has a lot of older houses. It’s part of the charm and historic character of the city, but it also poses a challenge when it comes to getting rid of the lead paint that was used in so many of those older properties. I worked hard to make this federal lead abatement money available and I commend Mayor Smiley for being proactive, investing in preventative measures, and connecting at-risk residents — especially those with young children — to free lead paint remediation services. This is a housing and health issue, but it’s also a moral imperative to get the lead out and empower residents to make sure their homes are safe,” said Senator Reed.
“Too many older homes in Rhode Island are filled with hidden lead hazards because of the high costs of lead remediation, leaving children and families unsafe in their own homes,” said Senator Whitehouse, a former Attorney General for Rhode Island who filed the state’s first lawsuit against lead paint manufacturers. “This new funding will give Providence homeowners the financial resources they need to remove these hazards and keep their little ones safe. I applaud Mayor Smiley’s commitment to the Lead Safe Providence Program, which is helping to eliminate lead paint in homes across our capital city.”
“There is no amount of lead exposure that is safe, and this federal funding will help Rhode Islanders remove lead from their homes to keep children and families safe and healthy,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner.
“Toxic lead has no place in our drinking water and it has no place in household paint,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I am grateful that we secured these federal funds to help remediate homes and apartments so we can better protect the health of young children and families in Providence.”
Numerous City departments, including Housing and Human Services and the Department of Inspection and Standards, work with health experts, contractors and community organizations such as Community Action Partnership of Providence County and the Childhood Lead Action Project to ensure the Lead Safe Providence Program reaches the most affected neighborhoods, where the risk of lead exposure is highest. The HUD Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program grant will ensure programs reach more homes and families, helping more children grow up in safe environments.
For more information on the City of Providence’s Lead Safe Providence Program or how residents can access the available resources, please visit providenceri.gov/housing-human-services .