Lead Hazard Reduction

The Erie Redvelopment Authority administers a program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the purpose of which is to reduce or eliminate toxic lead hazards in hundreds of residential dwellings throughout Erie County, at no cost to the occupants.

This countywide program is available to low to moderate income families who have children under the age of 6 years as residents.  Exceptions can be made for households where there are no resident age qualifying children. If a non-resident child or children under the age of 6 years spends a considerable amount of time at a particular property; ie: regular babysitting, day care, exceptions can be made on a case by case basis.  These exceptions must be thoroughly documented.

This program applies to both owner and tenant occupied dwellings.  While the grant pays for 100% of the lead hazard work in owner occupied homes, landlords are required to pay only 25% of the cost of the lead hazard work in tenant occupied structures.

Activities to remove lead hazards in a home vary depending on the locations of the hazards, but typically include window replacement, interior and exterior painting,  replacement of doors, flooring, and encapsulation of soffits and fascia board. 

This is a tremendous program for all low to moderate income families  with small children or infants.  We strongly encourage blood testing of all children regardless of age for lead poisoning.  This can be accomplished through your family doctor or the Erie County Department of Health.