Worcester Lands Record $5.5M Grant To Remove Lead Hazards

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester has received its largest-ever federal grant to remove lead paint hazards from homes across the city.

The $5.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development includes $5 million for lead abatement and $500,000 for the Healthy Homes program. Worcester plans to address lead hazards in 160 housing units occupied by low- and very low-income families with children.

“Our Lead Abatement Program is designed to help eligible property owners with the cost of remediation,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said. “This is critical work that makes a real health improvement in our residents’ lives. If you are the owner of an older property, please reach out to find out if you are eligible. Our goal is to have every eligible unit remediated.”

The city will work with UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Worcester Housing Authority, Worcester Community Action Council, Realtor Association of Central Massachusetts and Worcester Head Start.

Worcester has 38,442 housing units built before 1940 and 63,235 built before 1978, according to five-year American Community Survey estimates. Pre-1978 properties account for about 70 percent of the city’s housing stock.

Much of Worcester’s older housing was built between 1880 and 1920 for industrial-era workers. Deferred maintenance has created an ongoing need to rehabilitate properties and make them safer for children under age 6, according to the city. Worcester is home to 11,431 children in that age group.

The city’s initial lead screening rate is 64 percent, below the statewide rate of 73 percent. Worcester remains classified as a high-risk community for childhood lead poisoning.

Massachusetts requires children to be tested for lead poisoning between 9 and 12 months old and again at ages 2 and 3. Children must also be tested before entering daycare, prekindergarten or kindergarten.

“This funding, combined with other local, state and federal resources, will strengthen the foundation of existing efforts and will lead to a sustainable, community-wide effort to combat the effects of childhood lead poisoning and home health conditions and help provide the city’s children a safe place to call home,” Housing Development and Healthy Homes Director James Brooks said.

Since 2007, Worcester has received nearly $24.8 million in lead paint abatement and Healthy Homes grants.

See Also:

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• Historic Worcester Boys Club Reopens As Affordable Housing