Biden tours L.A. apartment complex

Biden hugs Monic Uriarte of the Esperanza Community Housing Corp. during his tour of the nonprofit group’s residential units. Praising its lead-abatement work, he said, “This is a real bang for the buck here. You have people from this community filling good jobs, helping other families, helping children to stay healthy.”  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Biden tours an apartment complex near downtown L.A. with Uriarte, whose Esperanza Community Housing Corp. is among 53 local programs in 20 states and Washington, D.C., getting grants through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to remove lead-based paint, allergens such as mold, and other hazards.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Romey Galindo, 8, draws smiles from Biden and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during their tour of the room that she and her brother Tyler, 6, share in a formerly contaminated apartment complex, which has been rehabilitated.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Biden gives Tyler Galindo, 6, a lift after visiting his home, where lead paint has been removed. “It’s unacceptable that some 40% of homes in this country still contain lead-based paints, the majority of which are in low-income areas where homes have not been renovated in decades,” Biden said. “If we are truly going to revitalize our communities, we need to help families that are most vulnerable.”  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Romey and Tyler eagerly await Biden’s visit to their home, where they live with their mother. The vice president used the visit to announce that nearly $100 million in federal stimulus money will go toward a program to remove lead-based paint and other health and safety hazards from low-income homes.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)