A Twin Cities program that used federal Housing and Urban Development money to clean up lead contamination downtown won’t be back for 2005.

HUD turned back a renewal request, and that means the program will end its official run in February 2005.

“There’s no question we could have used that money,” said Gail Phoenix, Auburn community development coordinator. “If you ask the state, Lewiston-Auburn still has the highest lead hazards and the most at-risk children.”

The cities began the program in 2002. Using a $2.45 million Lead Hazard Control Grant, the cities provided as much as $10,000 per unit to pay for lead abatement in downtown dwellings. Owners had to pledge not to resell the units for at least three years and to keep rents level. If they did, the cost was forgiven.

Phoenix said the two cities split the money but gave it out slightly differently. In Lewiston, the city forgave all of the money. Auburn forgave 75 percent of the money and gave property owners low-interest loans to pay back the rest.

The money was used to clean up lead paint and other contamination in 200 apartments, Phoenix said.

“It was easy to market,” Phoenix said. “If you tell people that you’re going to give them $10,000 to fix up their unit, they’re pretty interested.”

The program was also well-run, getting a “green” rating by HUD for the past two years. That’s the highest rating given for HUD grant programs.

“It means that you are spending the money wisely,” Phoenix said.

She has filed a debriefing with HUD to find out why the program was turned down.

Kristine Foye, regional spokeswoman for HUD, said the grant applications were very competitive. In all, 24 cities across the country applied for $33.6 million in grants. HUD eventually awarded grants to only 12 cities. A city of Portland grant was the only one in Maine to be renewed, Foye said.

Phoenix said the cities would try for the grant again next year.