Indy Slow To Spend Lead Paint Removal Grant

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The city of Indianapolis is moving at a slow pace spending a $3 million grant intended to help low-income children by removing lead-based paint from older homes.

Since 2013, Indianapolis has spent just a fifth of the grant that's overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Local and federal officials downplay the severity of HUD monitoring reports that flagged the city as a "high risk" grant recipient. But The Indianapolis Star reports the struggles in getting the program off the ground raise questions about the city's handling of public dollars.

Department of Metropolitan Development administrator Jennifer Fults says the program was initially sidetracked by the departure of the city's grant manager. That person's replacement was later pulled off the job to help with an FBI investigation.