Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and House colleagues announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded over $43 million to several Pennsylvania communities as part of the FY2024 Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LHR) Grant Program. This funding will help reduce lead-based paint hazards and improve the health and safety of homes across the Commonwealth, benefiting families in Allegheny County, Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Erie.
“This is a huge win for Pennsylvania families. No child should grow up in a home that makes them sick,” said Senator Fetterman. “These grants will help get rid of dangerous lead paint in some of our oldest housing stock and give families the safe, healthy homes they deserve. These grants will support broader efforts to address disrepair and blight across the Commonwealth, including Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs program. Fixing up our homes means healthier families, safer communities, and more affordable housing—things we desperately need.”
“No child should be forced to grow up in a home contaminated with dangerous lead paint,” said Senator Casey. “This funding will help identify and remove hazardous lead paint from homes so that Pennsylvanians have the peace of mind that their housing is not putting their families at risk. I will always fight to keep Pennsylvanian families healthy and safe.”
The Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction program is critical to addressing health risks posed by lead paint in older homes, especially for children under the age of six. These awards will not only address lead-based paint hazards in homes but also enhance affordable housing options, revitalize communities, and improve public health outcomes throughout Pennsylvania.
FY2024 Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant Awards for Pennsylvania:
- Allegheny County: $7,750,000
- City of Allentown: $5,700,000
- City of Harrisburg: $7,750,000
- City of Lancaster: $7,750,000
- City of Philadelphia: $7,000,000
- County of Delaware: $1,000,000
- County of Montgomery: $1,800,000
- Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie: $4,712,858
“Any exposure to any level of lead puts all of us, especially our kids, at risk,” said Congressman Deluzio (D-PA-17). “We need to make sure that everyone can live and grow up in homes that are clean, safe, and lead-free. I’m so glad to see the federal government is delivering $7.75 million in funding to help protect Allegheny County communities from dangerous lead paint hazard.”
“Every child deserves to grow up in a home where they feel safe and healthy,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA-7). “This funding is incredible news for Allentown, where it will help improve aging homes, lower housing costs, and bolster public health. I’ll continue working across the aisle to find commonsense solutions to address housing quality, affordability, and availability, as well as ensure children in historically underserved communities can grow up free from external health risks.”
“Every family deserves to live in a safe home free of hazardous lead paints,” said Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA-16). “This funding will greatly help families, especially children, in the City of Erie. It is vital that we continue to provide resources like these so Pennsylvanians can live in quality, affordable homes.”
This program’s goal of maintaining existing housing aligns with Senator Fetterman’s bipartisan Whole-Home Repairs Act, which aims to expand a wildly successful Pennsylvania program to the national level, addressing the critical need for home repairs in underserved communities. Together, these efforts are a crucial part of solving the housing crisis, preventing blight, and ensuring families can stay in their homes.
