By Brian May
Onondaga County Legislature
Onondaga County’s Division of Community Development hosts a Lead Hazard Reduction program that works to reduce the lead paint hazards in privately owned residential structures in Onondaga County. Lead paint can be found in painted window frames, wood siding and painted doors. The Lead Hazard Reduction program is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In June, representatives from HUD announced that Onondaga County would receive $3.4 million from the federal government to help remove hazardous lead-based paint from local homes. Onondaga County is among only 15 local governments nationwide that will receive a piece of the $46.5 million allocated to remediate lead hazards. The city of Syracuse has applied for an additional $2.9 million grant to remove lead-based paint from homes in the city’s poorest neighborhoods.
Participation in this program is income-based and residents must meet certain requirements to receive funding for new doors, windows and/or siding. First, you must live in a home that contains lead paint hazards. Typically these are homes that were built before 1978, but there is a way to test for lead if you think your home may be at risk. Second, a child under the age of 6 must live or spend a significant amount of time in the home. This is not exclusively for homes that are single-family residences; a structure can qualify with up for four attached homes and does not have to be owned, just occupied. Lastly, a resident must have a current annual gross household income of no more than 80 percent of the median income for the county.
The Community Development office can help you determine if you qualify for assistance through this program, or any other program they offer. Eligible properties must be protected by a current Homeowners Insurance Policy and be current on all property taxes and the mortgage.
For more information on the Lead Hazard Reduction program, please contact the Community Development department at 435-3558.
Brian May represents the First District, which includes the town of Lysander and the western portion of the town of Clay.
