Housing secretary to visit RI to discuss lead paint issues

By:  The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Jack Reed says he’s bringing a top housing official to Rhode Island to raise awareness about preventing childhood lead poisoning.

Reed says U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro will visit on Aug. 31.

Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, and Castro plan to meet with local officials, public health experts and others.

They also plan to tour homes where federal lead abatement funds have been used to remove lead-based paint.

Reed is working to allocate millions in federal funding to protect children from health and safety hazards, including lead paint, and to help public housing agencies address lead paint.

He’s working to expand HUD’s oversight and enforcement capacity to help prevent lead poisoning.

Rhode Island recently received $3.4 million in federal funds for lead remediation.

© The Associated Press WLNE-TV       2016