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Windham County outlines $1.1 million HUD lead-hazard capacity grant and free contractor training
Summary
Windham County officials told the Jamaica Select Board they received $1,100,000 in HUD lead-hazard capacity funds to expand contractor training, increase testing of children ages 1–2, and establish an application and waitlist for income-qualified households; the three-year grant runs through December 2027.
Windham County officials described a new HUD-funded program intended to expand lead-hazard reduction capacity across the region. Chair introduced Emily Gibbs and Alicia Underwood from Windham County; Gibbs said, “Windham County was awarded $1,100,000 in lead hazard reduction capacity building funds,” and outlined goals including free RRP (renovation, repair, painting and maintenance) training, abatement certifications, and tenant/owner outreach.
Gibbs and Underwood said the grant prioritizes low-income households: HUD requires beneficiary households be under 80% of median income. Gibbs said qualifying families may receive up to $3,500 for lead inspections and up to $24,366 per unit for hazard-reduction work, and that the county is building application policies and a wait list. Underwood emphasized program timing and constraints: “This is a 3 year grant. It ends in December 2027,” and staff expect environmental review to be finished and applications to begin next fall.
Board members pressed for details on eligibility and scheduling. Underwood explained RRP classes are open to anyone age 16 or older, abatement worker training requires age 18 and a path to licensing (a three-day worker course plus a fourth day for supervisor training when a licensed firm is involved). Gibbs offered to supply web links and asked the town to host registration information; the presenters invited local contractors and town staff to join the program steering committee.
