Two New Jersey cities will be getting more than $5 million in federal grant money for lead paint abatement. The grants, earmarked for public housing in Newark and Trenton, come in the wake of a report that showed children in 11 New Jersey cities have higher lead levels than kids in Flint, Michigan, and a Kane In Your Corner investigation that found thousands of New Jersey homes could have unsafe lead levels in their drinking water.

Sens. Robert Menendez (D- New Jersey) and Cory Booker (D - New Jersey) announced the grant money. 

Menendez says that both Trenton and Newark have large housing complexes where lead paint has been detected.

"Since the federal government owns the property, the federal government should take care of it," he says.

Menendez says that in the future, he hopes to secure additional lead abatement funding for other cities, as well as expanding the program to reduce lead in drinking water.

The federal grants will only help residents of public housing. There is funding available for low- and moderate-income homeowners who need help with lead abatement, but that is handled at the state level. Gov. Chris Christie originally vetoed $10 million in funding for the Lead Hazard Assistance Fund earlier this year, but eventually agreed to restore the funding