Milwaukee gets federal money to clean lead paint

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee’s health department will get federal money to help clean up lead paint from homes.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the city $4.5 million to expand its current efforts with lead hazards and provide lead reduction in an additional 900 housing units.

The money is part of a $127 million federal fund being distributed nationwide. It’s intended to help cities reduce lead-based paint hazards in homes.

In 2009, 4.4 percent of all children tested in Milwaukee had lead levels greater than the Centers for Disease Control level of concern. That’s compared to the state rate of 1.5 percent that year.