Lead Abatement Program
Purpose of the Program:
The purpose of the Lead Hazard Reduction Program is to assist low-to-moderate income homeowners and owners of affordable rental units make improvements to those units that reduce the exposure of children under 6-yrs of age to lead-based paint hazards.
Eligibility Requirements:
Participation in the Lead Hazard Reduction Program is open to the following types of pre 1978 residential housing units:
- Owner Occupied Single Family Homes
- Owner Occupied Multi-Family Homes (2-4 Units)
- Non- Owner Occupied/Investment Property (1-4 Units)
- Long-Term Affordable Housing Units
Participating properties must have at least one child under the age of 6-yrs old residing in participating housing unit at the time of work starting. The Program is not open to properties that have frequent visitors.
Participating properties must be current on all real estate taxes, water/sewer usage, and sewer assessment. Properties can not be involved in a foreclosure proceeding and have a lien in the form of a reverse mortgage placed on the property.
All housing units must meet the income guidelines in addition to the above referenced eligibility requirements.
Types of Improvements:
The Lead Hazard Reduction Program requires a comprehensive approach to determining what types of improvements are needed in the housing unit. A Comprehensive Lead Inspection will be performed on the participating property – this inspection will identify all lead hazards both on the interior and exterior of the property.
All items listed as hazards in the Inspection Report will be required to be either replaced or repaired.
Upon completion of the lead hazard reduction work the property will receive a lead safe certificate for the interior and exterior.
Contractor Selection:
The Office of Housing & Community Development will provide the necessary technical assistance to participating property owners in selecting contractors. All contractors must be lead hazard abatement contractors as licensed by the RI Department of Heath in addition to a licensed General Contractor.
Financial Assistance:
Owner Occupied Single Family Properties:
- Financial assistance for the Lead Hazard Reduction Program is provided in the form of a 0% deferred loan up to $10,000. There are no payments due so long as there is no change of ownership or re-finance. Additional terms may apply and will be discussed prior to loan closing.
- Assistance in excess of the $10,000 will be though the Home Improvement Loam Program (described above).
- Specific terms and conditions will be presented during the application process and prior to closing.
Non-Owner Occupied Properties:
- Financial assistance for non-owner occupied properties shall be the same as that of the Home Improvement Loan Program, fixed interest rate of 6%.
Additional Resources: