Section 197E: Lead abatement loan program
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Section 197E. There shall be a loan program in the executive office of housing and livable communities for lead abatement throughout the commonwealth. Said program shall assist residential property owners in financing the abatement and containment of lead paint hazards. The secretary of housing and livable communities, in consultation with the commissioner and the lead poisoning control director, shall administer said program and may distribute funds through community action agencies, redevelopment agencies, local nonprofit community and housing agencies and other appropriate municipal and non-profit agencies and organizations.
Loans under the program must be used for lead-paint abatement and containment activities.
Agencies and organizations eligible for loans under this program shall be selected by the secretary of housing and livable communities in consultation with the commissioner and the lead poisoning control director. Not less than one-half of funds allocated for this program shall be distributed to agencies and organizations serving high-risk areas and communities. Such high-risk areas and communities shall be chosen by the commissioner based upon the following criteria: the incidence of childhood lead poisoning reported in the previous five years; the proportion of residential housing stock containing lead paint hazards; the proportion of residents of low and moderate income; and the prior efforts of appropriate agencies and organizations to promote and carry out preventive measures designed to alleviate lead hazards.
All agencies and organizations wishing to receive funding from this program shall submit to said secretary and the commissioner a report detailing a proposed plan to reduce lead paint hazards.
The secretary of housing and livable communities and the commissioner, subject to the consultation provisions of section one hundred and ninety of this chapter, shall promulgate regulations necessary to administer this program. Said secretary of housing and livable communities and the commissioner shall report to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than October first of each year concerning the distribution of loan funds under this program. Said secretary of housing and livable communities shall promulgate regulations which establish reasonable terms and conditions of such loans, including interest rates and maturity dates designed to encourage compliance with this chapter.