The LeadSafe Homes Program provides forgivable loans to cover the costs associated with addressing lead paint problems and other unsafe conditions.
- Provides forgivable loans to property owners to cover the costs associated with addressing lead-paint problems and other unsafe conditions
- Property owners are subject to no out-of-pocket expenses or monthly payments
- In most cases, the loan will be completely forgiven, and the assistance is free.
- Homes built before 1978 (the year that lead was banned from paint) are eligible for the assistance
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.
RIHousing’s LeadSafe Homes Program provides remediation of lead-paint based hazards, such as:
- New windows and doors
- Interior and exterior painting
- Soil remediation
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.
Why should I be concerned about lead paint?
Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems, yet it is entirely preventable. Lead paint can harm children by:
- Damaging the brain
- Slowing growth and development
- Causing learning disabilities and behavior problems
This damage is irreversible.
Lead paint is also dangerous for pregnant women. Too much lead in a mother’s body can cause the baby:
- To be born early or too small
- To have learning problems
It can also put the mother at risk for miscarriage.
For more information on the dangers of lead poisoning for children and pregnant women, please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program page.
How can RIHousing help?
RIHousing’s LeadSafe Homes Program provides remediation of lead-paint based hazards, such as new windows and doors, interior and exterior painting and soil remediation. 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.
In most instances, all assistance is free. Properties are inspected for lead paint and healthy home hazards, and if hazards are present then remediation efforts are utilized. The LeadSafe Homes Program team works closely with property owners (and tenants, if present) throughout the whole process.
How do I know if my property is eligible for the program?
Both single-family and multifamily properties are eligible to participate. You do not need to live on the property to qualify. With multifamily homes, RIHousing works with the property owner to engage the tenants.
The main eligibility criteria is the home having been built prior to 1978, the year lead was banned from paint. A LeadSafe Homes Program team member can work with you to discuss additional eligibility criteria.
How do I know if my home has lead paint in it?
If your home was built before 1978, the year lead in paint was banned, then there’s a good chance lead paint is present. Over 70% of homes in Rhode Island were built before 1978 and likely contain lead paint. If your home was built after 1978 there is likely no lead paint present. The most common sources of lead-paint based hazards are lead-contaminated dust, peeling and chipped lead paint and contaminated soil. A certified lead inspector can tell you if there are lead-paint based hazards in your home; an inspection is conducted as part of the LeadSafe Homes Program. Property owners can also schedule their own lead inspections.
A list of inspectors from State of Rhode Island Department of Health can be found here.
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How much will the remediation cost me?
In most circumstances, assistance will be free.
There are no out-of-pocket expenses or monthly payments. Typically, the program is in the form of a forgivable loan. A forgivable loan is one you do not have to pay back as long as you meet certain conditions. If the property owner sells, transfers or refinances the property during the period of the loan, then they may need to repay.
Both landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities when it comes to lead paint. Click here to learn more.
Program Benefits
- Having a property that is in compliance with the Rhode Island Lead Hazard Mitigation Act
- Knowing your home is safe for children to live or visit
- In most cases, homeowners receive no-cost remediation, typically valued at $7,500 per unit
- In some cases, access to resources that will address non-lead related health hazards
The LeadSafe Homes Program is currently prioritizing applications for properties that are:
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Department of Health referred properties/properties where a child with an elevated blood lead level resides or visits
- Property located in the target areas of Central Falls, Pawtucket, Newport and East Providence.
- Property constructed prior to 1978
- Pregnant woman or child under the age of 6 resides in property; or a child under age 6 visits the property
- Owner or tenant meets HUD income eligibility requirements under 80% AMI
Do you live in one of the cities above? Click here to learn if you are in the targeted area >
Is your property located in Providence?
The City of Providence also runs a residential lead-paint remediation program for households that earn under a certain income level and have children who are 6 or younger that live at the property. Please take a look at the below chart – if you earn under the income threshold, and a child 6 or younger lives at the property, then we ask that you contact Providence to see if you qualify for their program. You can reach out to the following Providence Lead Remediation Program Contacts:
| Milagros Valerio 401-273-2000 ext 118 mvalerio@cappri.org |
Anabella Mayorga 401-273-2000 ext 200 amyaorga@cappri.rog |
INCOME LIMIT – Providence Only. You must earn UNDER the income level and have children who are 6 or younger live in the property.
| Household Size | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 Person |
| Family Income | $45,850 | $52,400 | $58,950 | $65,500 | $70,750 | $76,000 |
If you do not believe you qualify for Providence’s program, please reach back out so we can assess if you would qualify for our program and place you on a waitlist.
Is your property located in Woonsocket?
The City of Woonsocket also runs a residential lead-paint remediation program for households that earn under a certain income level and have children who are 6 or younger that live on the property. Please take a look at the below chart – if you OR your tenants (if your property is a multifamily) earn under the income threshold, and a child 6 or younger lives on the property, then we ask that you contact Woonsocket to see if you qualify for their program.
PROGRAM CONTACT
Jose Reyes
(401) 597-0845
jreyes@woonsocketri.org
INCOME LIMIT
Woonsocket Only. You must earn UNDER the income level and have children who are 6 or younger live in the property.
| Household Size | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 Person |
| Family Income | $48,450 | $55,400 | $62,300 | $69,200 | $74,750 | $80,300 |
The Wooncosket Lead Program will process your application to determine your eligibility. If denied, please return back to us with a denial letter. We will review your application and determine eligibility based on priority.
Lead Remediation Process – Property Owners
- If you own a multifamily property, both you and the tenants must submit an application
A certified lead inspector inspects the property for lead hazards.
- They identify the lead hazards and create an outline for the work that needs to be done
A RIHousing approved contractor is hired to conduct the work.
- RIHousing works closely with the property owner and contractor to make sure the work is done right and in a timely fashion.
All residents of the property must temporarily leave while the work is happening.
- How long this will take depends on how much work is needed, but on average it’s 1-2 weeks
- Residents can stay with family or friends, or RIHousing will pay for temporary accommodations for the full relocation timeframe
Once the work is complete, a final inspection is conducted to ensure the property is now lead safe.
- If so, the property receives a leadsafe certificate, something most homes in RI are required by law to have.
1. APPLICATION
- If you own a multifamily property, both you and the tenants must submit an application
2. INSPECTION
A certified lead inspector inspects the property for lead hazards.
- They identify the lead hazards and create an outline for the work that needs to be done
CONSTRUCTION
A RIHousing approved contractor is hired to conduct the work.
- RIHousing works closely with the property owner and contractor to make sure the work is done right and in a timely fashion.
RELOCATION
All residents of the property must temporarily leave while the work is happening.
- How long this will take depends on how much work is needed, but on average it’s 1-2 weeks
- Residents can stay with family or friends, or RIHousing will pay for temporary accommodations for the full relocation timeframe
FINAL INSPECTION
Once the work is complete, a final inspection is conducted to ensure the property is now lead safe.
- If so, the property receives a leadsafe certificate, something most homes in RI are required by law to have.
What happens if my tenant doesn’t want to let us remediate lead hazards in their apartment?
As part of the application process, both property owners and tenants must fill out applications. The information collected is kept confidential within RIHousing.
If tenants are hesitant to fill out an application and participate, RIHousing will work with the property owner to educate the tenant(s) on the benefits of the program. RIHousing is also available to speak directly with tenants and discuss their questions and concerns. Ultimately, the property owner has the right to ensure their home is safe of lead hazards.
Do I have a responsibility to provide lead safe apartments?
Yes. All property owners are required to provide healthy and safe homes that are free of lead hazards.
My tenant(s) doesn’t have a social security number so they can’t apply
A social security number is not required to apply.
If an applicant and all adult household members have a valid ID, they can apply. A valid ID can include a driver’s license, voter registration, or a consulate ID. Guests to the household do not need to be included on the application. The LeadSafe Homes Program does not share any information with law enforcement or Homeland Security offices.
