TRENTON, NJ (October 19, 2019) The Trenton Housing Authority (THA) is pleased to announce today that it was awarded a lead-based paint grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $925,000.
The grant will be used by THA to conduct a lead inspection of all of its public housing units and to fund related remediation. Once the inspections are concluded, the THA will receive a “lead-free” certification from a certified lead investigation company.
“We are pleased that HUD awarded us with this lead-based paint award,” said Jelani Garrett, Executive Director of the THA. “The Trenton Housing Authority is dedicated to building and maintaining safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing for Trenton residents. This grant ensures that our communities are lead paint free for the safety of our residents and their families.”
HUD announced on August 20th that it had awarded $27.8 million to 38 Public Housing Agencies in 25 states. According to HUD: “these grants will be targeted to approximately 2,800 public housing units, most of which are currently occupied by families with young children.”
“Although lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, HUD estimates that about 24 million older homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today. However, homes receiving rental assistance, including public housing, tend to have a lower prevalence of lead-based paint hazards compared to private housing. While most public housing has already undergone abatement, there are still some properties where lead-based paint remains and hazards have redeveloped.”
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_19_124
New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman said in her August 23rd press release about the grant award:
“Now, Trenton will finally have the resources to remove this dangerous toxin from the homes of some of its most vulnerable children. We are in desperate need of work to update and rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. This should be just one step in a larger plan.”
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1584
About the Trenton Housing Authority
The THA is an autonomous body that is chartered by the City of Trenton in accord with State enabling legislation. THA is partially funded, with capital grants and operating subsidies, by the federal government through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The THA is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The THA is committed to providing decent, safe and sanitary housing that is thoroughly constructed, carefully maintained and expertly managed. THA seeks to identify projects that have the potential to act as a catalyst for the revitalization of neighborhoods in the City of Trenton. THA promotes self-sufficiency among the families that reside in its communities by partnering with local agencies and organizations to provide education, training, employment and business opportunities for its residents. To learn more, visit: www.tha-nj.org.