Even though lead-based paint was banned by the government 45 years ago, it’s estimated that 75% of older Minnesota homes built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint. That presents a real hazard to families with kids.
It is well documented that lead poisoning can damage the normal development of young children, with serious, lifelong effects including permanent neurological damage. But now Hennepin County is offering these families help and hope.
Through a grant, low and moderate income homeowners and landlords can get free testing to see if their home is at risk. If the presence of lead-based paint is found and confirmed, eligible families can have it removed at no cost to them.
“We do some lead testing to determine where the lead hazards are and then we create a scope of work to make the home lead safe. That goes out to bid to some contractors, then we arrange the financing which currently up to $15,000 that doesn’t ever have to be paid back,” said Michael Jensen, a regional surveyor with the Minnesota Health Department.
The work to remediate the lead-based paint often focuses on windows.
When windows are lowered and raised, the old paint can be disturbed and can chip or flake off or create dust that wind up on windowsills and nearby floors. Painting over chipping or peeling lead-based paint does not make it safe.
The paint needs to be removed.
“Lead dust gets on kids’ hands and they put their hands in their mouth, that’s the most frequent method of lead exposure. We focus on windows that were original to the house,” Jensen added. “Houses built before 1960 are almost guaranteed to have lead-based paint unless they’ve had a major gut remodeling.”
Every year, some 200 children in Hennepin County are found to have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health. That’s why the grant is targeting families with children under the age of six or homeowners who have frequent visitors under the age of six. Those who qualify for the grant will get Energy Star windows as replacements. If the cost for all the remediation is more than $15,000 Hennepin County will offer eligible homeowners and landlords deferred and low interest loans to help with the expense.
To find out more and learn if you qualify for the grant to test for lead-based paint or have it removed by a licensed contractor, visit this site. They do have free interpreter services are available.
What to expect throughout the process:
Free in-home screening
We check your home for health and safety hazards. We also tell you how to prevent home health hazards. If appropriate, you will also get free safety supplies.
Receiving a grant
You complete a grant application. We’ll verify your income and other grant requirements.
Full home inspection
We do a second inspection to identify all the home’s lead hazards.
Inspection results
We meet with you at your home. We discuss the results, the work needed and what the grant can cover.
Lead-safe class
You take a three-hour class. You learn how to paint and do small projects in a lead-safe manner.
Work done by you
You may need to do work the grant doesn’t cover, like paint window trim or home exterior.
Work paid by the grant
A contractor will estimate the cost of all needed repairs.
We’ll cover repairs up to $12,000. If the cost goes above that, you may need to cover the rest.
Repair work
The contractor will schedule the work. No one can live at the home during repairs. The grant covers lodging expenses up to $175 per day or $875 per week.
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