Senators Warner and Kaine announce $1.45 million to address lead-based paint hazards

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced Tuesday $1.45 millon in federal funding to address lead-based paint hazards in homes across Virginia.

Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, however, more than 30 million American homes are believed to still contain it. Nearly 4 million of those homes have children under the age of 6 living in them. The paint is dangerous if it peeps, chips or is disturbed in any way. Even the dust from the paint poses a risk.

The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, which provides federal funding to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible homes. $750,000 will go to the city of Roanoke, the rest will be distributed across Virginia by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program.

In October, the senators announced nearly $35.2 million in federal funding to replace lead pipes in Virginia. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are over 180,000 lead service lines still in Virginia, as of 2023. The lead can lead to long-term health risks for those who have been exposed.

If you own or live in a single-family or multi-family home built before 1978, and have children under the age of 6 living with you, you may be eligible for some of this funding. Learn more on the Department of Housing and Community Development website.