Mikulski Announces FY16 Spending Bill Makes Important Investments in Making Housing Safer and More Affordable for Maryland Families

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 makes important investments in safe and affordable housing across Maryland.

The legislation is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. The Senate is expected to take it up later this week.

"Maryland families need a government on their side when it comes to their day-to-day needs and putting a roof over their heads," Senator Mikulski said. "I am proud to have worked to put money in the federal checkbook that builds and protects our communities, while helping some of our most vulnerable populations. Marylanders can count on me to continue standing up for their day-to-day needs."

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

The bill includes $3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides state and local governments with funding for projects including infrastructure and water and sewer improvements, funding for youth and senior centers, and housing rehabilitation programs. In 2015, Maryland received $4.3 million in CDBG funds, including $18.75 million for Baltimore City.

Lead Paint

The bill includes $110 million for the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control to provide cities and states with grants to help remove lead paint from old housing and prevent children from being exposed to environmental hazards. Lead paint is an especially bad problem in old, Northeastern cities. Baltimore City has nearly three times the national rate of lead poisoning, which disproportionately affects African-American children living in old, distressed housing.

In August, 2015, Senator Mikulski announced $3,365,733 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding and $325,000 in Healthy Homes supplemental funding was awarded to Baltimore City. This federal funding is part of federal funding she worked to include in fiscal year (FY) 2015 appropriations. To combat lead poisoning, this funding will help Baltimore City collaborate with a diverse set of local partners, including the Baltimore City Health Department and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative to identify and cut down on lead paint in low- and very low-income homes.

Senator Mikulski has long been an advocate for eliminating lead hazards. In 2003, she created a new lead paint demonstration program focused on abatement in the nation's most affected cities. She has also consistently fought to increase funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction program.

"Children are disproportionately at risk for lead poisoning in major urban areas, especially in old Northeastern cities. Children from poor families are at the greatest risk -- they are eight times more likely to get lead poisoning than other children," said Senator Mikulski. "That's why I fought to create the lead paint demonstration program and stand up each year to increase funding to remove lead-based paint from homes in Maryland and across the country. Baltimore families deserve a government on their side. This funding is an important step in protecting children from lead exposure and make a real difference for Baltimore's families."

Lead poisoning is the number one environmental hazard threatening children throughout the United States. It can reduce IQ, cause learning disabilities and impair hearing. Elevated and high exposures to lead can damage children's kidneys and central nervous system, and can cause anemia, confusion, and even death. It is estimated that anti-social behaviors and increased special education needs caused by lead poisoning costs the general public millions of dollars each year due to lost wages and burden on taxpayers.

HOME Program

Senator Mikulski fought to provide $950 million to the HOME program, an increase of $50 million above FY 2015, in this legislation after the Senate Republican's bill slashed funding by $834 million. The HOME program brings public and private investment to Maryland, filling gaps in funding that makes other housing programs work. The program ensures low-income residents have a chance at homeownership, gives in-state developers leverage to build new homes where old ones no longer serve vulnerable populations and preserves housing affordability for Maryland families.

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