Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program

The purpose of the Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program is to assist states and Federally recognized Native American Tribes that have an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-authorized lead abatement certification program; cities, and counties/parishes, or other units of local government which have either not received a direct HUD lead hazard control grant or were a previous grantee that has a demonstrated need to rebuild capacity within their jurisdiction. Rebuilding capacity may be necessary for jurisdictions that have diminished infrastructure and capacity due to loss of experienced staff, or other factors that have negatively impacted the capacity necessary to undertake comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards. Current grantees that have an active period of performance are not eligible to apply. The program will help applicants with developing and expanding the infrastructure necessary to undertake comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned rental or owner-occupied housing. The capacity objectives to ensure the successful implementation of a lead hazard control grant program relies on the following implementation of several key program components listed below. Build local capacity to determine the prevalence of childhood lead poisoning among children under six years in the targeted community(ies);Build local capacity to safely and effectively address lead hazards during lead hazard control and renovation, remodeling, and maintenance activities by integrating lead-safe work practices;Developing and implementing procedures/guidelines for program activities that include program intake of potential program participants and establishing a system, or process that will facilitate lead-safe units to be affirmatively marketed to families with young children, such as advertising available units to such families where lead-based paint hazards have been controlled;Hire qualified staff with experienced organizational management and financial capacity to immediately execute the program upon receipt of a grant award;Promote collaboration, data sharing, and targeting between health and housing departments;Developing key partnerships/subgrantees such as: faith-based, health departments, coalitions, or other community-based organizations;Integrating strategies to incorporate lead hazard control into existing housing repair programs; (e.g., housing rehabilitation, local housing ordinance, property maintenance, weatherization, housing-related health hazard interventions, and energy conservation activities);Obtaining high quality data to target resources where need is greatest; andDeveloping systems for sustaining a lead hazard control program after successful completion of a capacity building grant program.