[MassHistPres] CDBG block grant money

[Ralph Slate]

In the past in Springfield, we used to have a program which used 
Community Development Block Grant money to directly aid homeowners with 
various projects. For example, we had a facade grant which paid $5k in 
matching funds for houses that took off unoriginal siding and restored 
the original facade.We haven't had this program in about eight years.

I have heard that the federal government has put forth some new mandates 
regarding CDBG money, particularly involving lead paint. The rumor I 
heard was that if a homeowner accepts CDBG money, they have to bring 
their entire house into lead paint compliance (not just the portion 
being worked on). So if a homeowner takes $5k in a grant to do work, he 
would potentially have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to remove 
lead paint from every surface in the house.

Is this fact or fiction? Springfield is investigating diverting some 
CDBG monies into historic preservation, and we want to explore doing it 
for a number of homes rather than giving a couple of large grants to big 
projects.

Thanks,

Ralph Slate
Springfield Historical Commission