RIHousing’s LeadSafe Homes Program provides financial assistance to help eligible homeowners address lead hazards and make their homes safer for children and families. Funding can support inspections, remediation work, and essential repairs needed to meet Rhode Island’s lead safety requirements.
Lead paint is typically found in paint dust from old doors or windows opening and closing; peeling and chipped paint, from both inside and outside of the house; and soil that has paint dust or chips in it.
There are also resources to provide other healthy homes improvements, including, but not limited to, air quality improvements such as dryer vents and bathroom fans, minor electrical upgrades, and installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
The LeadSafe Homes Program is currently processing applications for properties that are:
The Cities of Providence, Pawtucket and Woonsocket also run residential lead-paint remediation programs for households that earn under a certain income level and have children who are 6 or younger that live at the property. Contact the programs directly to see if you qualify.
Lead Remediation Program Contacts:
Providence: Paula Baron | 401-680-8427 | pbaron@providenceri.gov
Pawtucket: Coming Soon | 401-728-0500 x357
Woonsocket: Ryan Leech | 401-767-9233 | rleech@woonsocketri.org
Lead paint is particularly dangerous for children 6 and under. Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems, yet it is entirely preventable. Lead paint can harm children by:
This damage is irreversible.
Lead paint is also dangerous for pregnant women. Too much lead in a pregnant woman’s body can cause the baby to be born early or too small or have learning problems. It can also put them at risk for miscarriage.
Lead Conformance Certificates and Lead Conditional Safe Certificates are only valid for two years. If more than two years have elapsed since your certificate was issued, you will need to contact a certified lead inspector to obtain a new Conformance certificate.
If you are looking for documentation of the specifics of the lead remediation work done on your property from a LeadSafe Homes Loan completed prior to 2016 please send a request in writing to:
LeadSafe Homes Attn: File Request
RIHousing
44 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
Request must be accompanied by a check for $25.00 made out to Rhode Island Housing to obtain the records from storage. Loan files beyond the file retention period may not be available. For additional information regarding Certificate of Lead Conformance requirements please visit the Department of Health’s website at Lead Poisoning Information for Landlords.
Both tenants and property owner must submit applications
A certified lead inspector inspects the property for lead hazards.
A RIHousing approved contractor is hired to conduct the work.
All residents of the property must temporarily leave while the work is happening.
Once the work is complete, a final inspection is conducted to ensure the property is now lead safe.
Over 70% of homes in Rhode Island were built before 1978 and likely contain lead paint. The most common sources of lead-paint based hazards are lead contaminated dust, peeling and chipped lead paint and contaminated soil. The best way to know if your home has lead paint is to have an inspector come out and test for it. If your home was built after 1978 there is likely no lead paint.
Tenants will be relocated for a short period of time so that contractors can repair the home safely; the LeadSafe Homes Program covers costs associated with relocation of tenants when neccessary.
If your home was built before 1978 you may be eligible. If you are not the property owner, your landlord will first need to complete an application for the program. RIHousing can help you tell your landlord about this program, if requested.
Both landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities when it comes to lead paint. Click here to learn more.
Our program has income limit requirements in place to determine which funding source can be used to remediate a property. All documentation requested from homeowners and tenants are used solely for this purpose. Tenants can submit their documents through an online portal.
No. The income you report to complete the LSHP application will not impact the amount you receive for any other benefits you, or your tenant(s), receive. The information is solely for the LSHP program.
If you are working and only receive cash payments, you can complete a Cash Income Form with our staff to verify your income.
NOTE: RIHousing does not manage the RI Department of Health’s (DOH) Statewide Lead Registry, and cannot provide information or updates about the registry process, lead inspections, or the issuance of a Certificate of Lead Conformance or a lead certificate.
For questions about the Lead Registry, please contact DOH: 401-222-4549, rentalregistry@health.ri.gov. For more information about a lead certificate, please visit www.lead1978.com or email doh.leadprogram@health.ri.gov.
Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract.
Only residents of census tract 405 are eligible for the FirstGenHomeRI pilot program.
The map on the left shows the approximated eligible region.
Unsure if your address is part of the eligible region?
Type in your address below to find out (Include street #, street name, Newport, RI).
Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract for application prioritization.
Applications from residents who live in the census tract listed below are prioritized.
| Central Falls | 44007010900, 44007010800, 44007011100, 44007011000 |
| Pawtucket | 44007016000, 44007015300, 44007015100, 44007015200, 44007015500, 44007016600, 44007016700, 44007017000, 44007017100, 44007016100, 44007016400 |
| Newport | 44005040500, 44005041100 |
| East Providence | 44007010100, 44007010501 |
Type in your address below to learn if you are in the targeted area. (Include street #, street name, city, RI).