WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama yesterday, includes funding for development projects in Maryland. The bill also includes critical funding to protect children from the hazards of lead paint and supports replacing zip codes of poverty with sustainable mix-income communities.

“We need to put government on the side of the people on Main Street, not Wall Street. I am proud to have worked to put money in the federal checkbook that builds and protects communities,” Senator Mikulski said. “Marylanders can count on me to continue standing up for the day-to-day needs of my constituents.”

The funding bill includes $855,000 for community development projects in Maryland:

• $475,000 for the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Historic Site to construct a visitor center and recreational facilities in Cambridge.

• $380,000 for Howard County’s Affordable Housing initiative to construct and equip community resource rooms in county-owned housing.

Protecting Children from Lead Paint Poisoning

Lead paint poisoning can leave young children with developmental and learning disabilities that stay with them throughout life. Senator Mikulski fought to include $90 million to continue supporting HUD’s Lead Hazard Demonstration Program, which allows state and local governments to apply for funding to help privately-owned rental properties eliminate lead paint hazards. The program targets cities like Baltimore with older housing stock that put residents at higher risk of lead paint poisoning.

“Children from poor families are disproportionately at risk for lead poisoning in major urban areas,” Senator Mikulski said. “This funding is an important step in protecting children from lead exposure and makes a real difference for Baltimore’s families.”

HOPE VI – Leveraging Private Funds to Build Communities and Create Neighborhoods

The Omnibus bill also restores funding for the HOPE VI housing program to $120 million. Senator Mikulski created HOPE VI in 1992 to leverage private funding with federal investments to replace failed public housing projects with mixed-income communities that integrate schools, retail businesses and community services into safe neighborhoods.

“We need to support federal programs that help those who help themselves. HOPE VI has always been about creating new opportunities for residents of public housing and new hope for the communities surrounding public housing,” Senator Mikulski said.