SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $3.6 MILLION IN FED FUNDING FOR THE CITY OF ROCHESTER TO HELP COMBAT LEAD POISONING

Schumer & Gillibrand: Lead-Poisoning Prevention Grant Will Help Protect Health & Safety Of Rochester’s Kids

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant of $3,365,733 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration funding and $325,000 in Healthy Homes supplemental funding for the City of Rochester. This critical funding will provide necessary resources to spur collaboration between the Rochester Housing Authority and the Monroe County Department of Health to prevent lead poisoning accidents. With this funding the City of Rochester will now be able to address lead hazards in 235 housing units, providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. In addition, the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program will also perform healthy homes assessments in 100 units.

“Lead poisoning is an irreversible, preventable tragedy that robs many families and children of their future,” said Senator Schumer. “We must do everything we can to eliminate lead from our homes and this major federal grant will do just that, by injecting much-needed funds into lead remediation and prevention. These funds are an investment in the health, safety, and future of communities in the Rochester area.”

“This funding will help prevent lead poisoning in Rochester,” said Senator Gillibrand.  “Lead poisoning causes severe mental and physical health problems and it is important to remove those hazards from our homes so we can keep our families safe. The Rochester Housing Authority and Monroe County Department of Health will now have access to additional resources that can help protect residents from exposure to this dangerous substance. ”

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), lead is much more harmful to children than adults because it can affect children’s developing nerves and brains. Lead-based paint, still encasing homes’ walls, often erodes and settles on children’s toys on the floor, falling into the hands and mouths of children.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have long advocated for protecting New York children and families in the past by securing millions of dollars in federal funding to eradicate the toxic element from homes, reducing lead-poisoning cases. Lead poisoning can cause developmental difficulties, physical pain, and neurological damage. 

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