WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued the following news release: * * * The funding will protect more Americans from lead hazards, improve housing hazard identification and prevention, and expand critical research and services. * * * Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced more than $420 million in awards across 32 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to remove lead hazards from homes and HUD-assisted pro  more