TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The City of Tallahassee may have to pay over a million dollars back to the federal government, according to an email from Tallahassee Assistant City Manager Christian Doolin.<\/p>\n
In the email obtained by WCTV on Friday, Doolin tells the mayor and commissioners that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is in the process of naming Tallahassee\u2019s Lead Hazard Reduction grant \u201chigh-risk.\u201d <\/p>\n
According to that email, HUD raised concerns about contractor expense justification and unit eligibility, placing the grant under HUD audit. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have provided HUD requested documentation including contractor certifications, assessments, outreach coordinator, procurement and budget information, and income eligibility verification required to complete HUD\u2019s review,\u201d Doolin said.<\/p>\n
WCTV confirmed the authenticity of Doolin\u2019s email with two separate sources. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LHR) grant program is to maximize the number of children under the age of six protected from lead poisoning by assisting states, cities, counties\/parishes, Native American Tribes or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations,\u201d HUD said on its website<\/a>. <\/p>\n Approximately, $1.6 million has been spent on the program, including payments to a construction company. The City has been reimbursed around $1.03 million from HUD.<\/p>\n If the grant is labeled as \u201chigh-risk\u201d by HUD, the city could be required to return some or all funds received for the program, according to the email.<\/p>\n \u201cI anticipate receiving HUD\u2019s high-risk letter shortly, which could result in HUD requiring the City to return a portion or all funds received for this program,\u201d Doolin wrote.<\/p>\n Doolin wrote Friday that he has suspended the program. He did not provide a timeline for the program to resume. Doolin\u2019s email was sent to the mayor and all city commissioners, alongside the city\u2019s appointed officials like the city manager and its executive team. <\/p>\n A request for comment to a city spokesperson is pending. If or when we hear back, we\u2019ll update this article.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n