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The Lead Hazard Control (LHC) Grant Program is designed to strategically advance efforts to increase lead-safe affordable housing while eliminating the possibility of childhood lead poisoning in the City of Cleveland. The LHC program provides lead risk assessments, identifies lead–based paint, and provides grants to control lead-based paint hazards.
Created to protect children from lead-based paint hazards, the program is designed to maximize both the combination of children protected from lead poisoning and housing units where lead hazards are controlled.
All identified interior and exterior lead-based paint hazards are to be controlled so that the housing unit will achieve “clearance” in order to confirm that all hazards have been properly addressed. The clearance process includes both a visual evaluation and a dust-wipe sampling.
The scope of work eligible for the program will be determined by the Paint Inspection/Risk Assessment completed by the Risk Assessor. If the total cost of the unit is greater than the average unit cost, the occupant/landlord is encouraged to contribute to the cost with in-kind work or additional financial resources.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities may include interior and exterior lead hazard control with additional assistance for healthy homes hazards. Eligible activities are determined by City of Cleveland staff during an onsite inspection.
All painted surfaces in the interior and exterior of the structure will be inspected visually to determine the condition of the painted surface and using a handheld machine to determine presence of any lead-based paint. Items identified as lead-based paint hazards may be addressed with grant funding. Lead-based paint components that are intact and do not exhibit signs of deterioration are not eligible for repairs.
If the scope of work exceeds the available amount of assistance, the property owner may be required to contribute to the project or seek additional assistance
Eligibility and Award
Residents of the City of Cleveland living in older homes with children under the age of six (6) years and whose incomes are included in the guidelines below may participate in this program. Landlords are required to contribute to the project depending on funding availability and project costs. Complete applications are scored to determine priority and a. Eligible housing units include:
- Home must be in the City of Cleveland and built before 1978
- A child under age six (6) must live in or visit the home 20+ hours each week, or a pregnant woman must live in the home
- Lead hazards must be identified (all eligible families get a free lead inspection)
- The family living in the home must qualify as low-income
Property taxes must be current or the property owner must be on an approved payment plan
Eligibility Process
- Properties occupied by the owner and/or tenant may apply
- Income evaluation includes all eligible occupants of the property.
- A case administrator will use income source and asset documentation such as paystubs, bank statements, and other reoccurring assets to determine eligibility
- If eligible, an inspector will be assigned to survey property.
Inspection & Work Write-Up
- A licensed inspector will perform a lead/inspection risk assessment (LIRA) on painted surfaces on both the exterior and interior of the dwelling as well a healthy homes assessment.
- The inspector will write a scope of work to address all lead-based paint hazards
- The inspector will write a scope of work to address healthy homes work, if applicable.
- The scope of work is reviewed for eligibility by the program manager
If the scope of work is eligible, the property is bid to contractors.
If the scope of work is too large, the program may decline to move forward or require a financial contribution from the property owner.
Construction
- A certified lead abatement contractor is hired to conduct the work
- Interior work may take up to 10 days, while exterior work may take longer depending on the weather
- Occupants are provided a $1,000 stipend to relocate during lead hazard control activities
- Occupants may stay with family, friends, or at a hotel
Final Inspection
- Licensed inspectors will perform a clearance inspection to ensure that the property is lead-safe and all identified hazards have been sufficiently controlled
- If applicable, the Department of Community Development will send the clearance report to CDPH if the dwelling is under a Lead Hazard Control Order
- The Department of Community Development will send the clearance report to the Department of Building and Housing to obtain a Lead Safe Certificate, if applicable
Ongoing Monitoring & Maintenance
- Homeowners and property owners should complete ongoing visual inspections of all components that were treated using interim control methods or encapsulation and all other identified components that were coated with lead-based paint, but that did not need treatment at the time the grant was administered
- If the paint on any of these surfaces is deteriorated, the owner must stabilize these surfaces immediately
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of work will be done on my house?
An assessor will inspect the house and determine if there are lead hazards. Based on that inspection, the Program will determine the type of work necessary, which may include windows and/or the exterior of the home.
Will I automatically get vinyl siding and new windows?
No. Your home will be thoroughly evaluated and the inspection results will determine what types of repairs are performed.
How long does the process take?
The process can take as little as 60 days from application/enrollment to approval.
- Application Submittal
- Property Approval
- Paint Inspection
- Risk Assessment
- Job Specification Development
- Applicant Enrollment
Do I need to have children living in my home? If so, what age?
Yes. You must have one or more children under the age of six (6) years living in or frequently visiting your home. Home daycare providers are also eligible, even if the caregiver has no children of their own.
Is the program for all income levels?
The program is for low-and moderate-income families. Income guidelines established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are followed, which also take into consideration the size of the household.
Do I qualify if my grandchildren visit often?
Yes. The same eligibility guidelines would apply.
Can Landlords participate in the program?
Yes, under limited circumstances. Both the Landlord and all tenants must agree to participate in the program and submit all required documents.
Does my child have to be lead poisoned to participate?
No. The program will admit families with children under the age of six even if there are no lead-poisoned children in the home.
If I am pregnant, can I still enroll in the program?
Yes. We encourage expectant mothers to participate to start prevention before their child is born.
What if my tenant won’t give me income verification documents and other required papers. Can I still participate?
Unfortunately, the program benefits children. If the family with the child will not cooperate, the owner of the property will not be able to participate.
Do I have to get my child tested before I apply?
Your child must have a blood test that cannot be older than six (6) months when the work begins.
Where can I get my child tested?
Your current doctor can provide the test. However, there are facilities on the west and east side of Cleveland that can provide a free screening for lead.
- Mccafferty Clinic (WEST)
- 4242 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102
- (216) 651-1199
- Testing times 8:30-11:00 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
- J. Glen Smith (EAST)
- 11100 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44108
- (216) 957-5600
Do I have to pay for the repairs made to my home?
No, you do not have to pay for the lead work. You may need to make some non-lead type repairs before the Program will work on the home.
How much money will be put into repairing my home?
The amount of funds for each house varies by the type of work necessary to treat all the lead hazards.
Is this a loan or a grant? Do I have to pay back the money?
Funding is a grant, and it is not required to be paid back. The money is used to abate the residence. However, you may be asked to pay a match contribution toward the direct cost of lead hazard control in the amount of $600 per unit. A waiver can be submitted by the property owner to waive associated fees. However, this waiver must be approved by the project director.
Can I hire my own contractor?
No, But you can select a contractor who makes all the program requirements to be considered. All work will be performed by contractors who have been hired and approved by the program. We create a pool of qualified trained contractors. Contractors are selected on a rotation basis.
Why does the program require my personal financial information?
Our program has income limit requirements in place to determine program eligibility as determined by the funding source. Financial information is used to verify total household income for each single family or unit in a multi-family property. We understand that it can be unsettling to share personal and financial information. All information provided is treated as confidential.
All documentation requested from homeowners and tenants is used solely to determine program eligibility. The income you report to this program will not impact any other benefits homeowners, tenants, or property owners receive.