We know how important it is that all households have a safe and healthy home. Many of Vermont’s homes are older and have paint and windows that contain lead, a highly toxic metal that may cause a range of health problems, especially in young children.
Currently, we have no additional capacity to take on new projects. We plan to apply for a new grant if one becomes available from HUD.
Our Healthy & Lead-Safe Homes Program was created to reduce lead-based paint hazards in homes occupied by low-income families.
Since its inception, this program has assisted more than 2,600 landlords and income-eligible homeowners to reduce the risk of lead poisoning caused by lead-based paint hazards.
All work is completed by certified lead abatement contractors, and testing is done to ensure properties are safe before residents return. For more information, please see the program brochure and Frequently Asked Questions.
We protect ecologically valuable land and promote a healthy environment through investments that enrich biodiversity, maintain clean air and water, promote flood resilience and preserve natural landscapes. This helps manage the effects of climate change while maintaining the state’s rural character and quality of life that are cherished by Vermont residents and visitors.
What Our Program Offers
Homeowners
Must have a child under 6 years old
10-year deferred, 0% interest loan
10% forgiveness per year
Work includes interior and exterior painting
Possible window replacement
Multi-Family Dwellings
5-year deferred, 0% interest loan
20% forgiveness per year
Work includes interior and exterior painting
Possible window replacement
If you are a landlord and have questions about filing your compliance statement, please contact the Healthy Homes Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at the Vermont Department of Health: 802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in VT).
Application Instructions
Application Checklist for Owner-Occupied Properties
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- Fully completed and signed Application
- Fully completed and signed Resident Income Verification Form, including third-party income verification
- Photograph of the property
- A copy of the most recent Tax Assessment
- A copy of the warranty deed
Application Checklist for Rental Properties
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- Fully completed and signed Application
- Fully completed and signed Resident Income Verification Forms for each dwelling unit, including third-party income verification
- Photograph of the property
- A copy of the most recent tax assessment
- A copy of the warranty deed
Rental Properties
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- Tenant’s income cannot exceed 2024 Income Limits as determined by HUD.
- Owner must rent to income-eligible family for 5 years.
Questions? We are available by phone at:
(802) 828-5064 or 1-800-290-0527 & email at lead@vhcb.org during normal business hours.
Program Services
The Healthy & Lead-Safe Homes Program provides technical assistance at no cost to the property owner in the form of comprehensive lead paint testing, risk assessment, specification development, bidding and contractor selection assistance, construction management, clearance testing, and follow-up inspections.
Funds available to pay for the required work are in the form of grants and 0% interest deferred loans with up to 100% forgiveness amount on the loan.
Apartments/Rental Property
Each apartment is eligible for a total of up to $15,000. For investor-owned rental properties it is 100% deferred loan forgiven after five years if owner rents to income eligible tenants, performs Essential Maintenance Practices on the property, and provides yearly documentation to the Healthy and Lead-Safe Homes Program.
Homeowners
Homeowners are eligible to receive a total of up to $25,000. The grant-to-loan ratio for owner occupied properties is 40% grant and 60% deferred loan forgiven at ten percent per year for ten years. Depending on the cost of the project and the availability of funds, owners may be required to complete some finish work such as final painting.
Lead Paint Hazard Control Work
Lead paint hazard control work must be completed by a Vermont-certified Lead Abatement Contractor. Occupants of units undergoing lead hazard control work must be relocated during the work and cannot return until the unit passes clearance dust wipe testing (see Temporary Relocation section below). Depending on the size of the home or apartment and the extent of the lead problem, the work can take anywhere from one to three weeks to complete (see project timeline). Property owners will receive documentation that the lead paint hazards have been controlled and guidance regarding ongoing maintenance.
Blood Lead Testing of Children Under Six (6)
The Vermont Department of Health recommends that all children receive a blood lead test at 12 months and 24 months at their well child visit with their health care provider. HUD requires that all children under age 6 in families receiving assistance from this program be screened for lead. Contact the Healthy Homes Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 1-800-439-8550 if you have questions about lead testing.
Temporary Relocation
Homeowners will be expected to make their own arrangements for relocation while the lead work is completed. Federal regulations do not allow tenants in rental property to be permanently displaced because of the lead work. Generally, owners of rental property will be asked to assist VHCB in making arrangements for their tenants. In certain situations, VHCB has limited resources available to assist with reasonable relocation expenses. Occupants will be expected to pack up their belongings sufficiently to allow the contractor access to complete the work.
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
Because it is usually too expensive to remove all of the lead-based paint, ongoing maintenance and monitoring by the property owner will be necessary to ensure that all of the lead-based paint hazards remain under control. The EMP law requires owners of pre-1978 rental housing and/or day care facilities, or their maintenance personnel, to attend a Vermont Department of Health-approved training, to perform Essential Maintenance Practices (EMPs), and to provide information about lead-based paint to tenants. Landlords who are enrolled in the Healthy & Lead-Safe Homes program are required to perform EMPs and file compliance statements with the VT Department of Health in order to receive forgiveness on their loans. Compliance with the law should ensure that no lead hazards reappear in the future. For more information about the law, call 1-800-439-8550.
IRC Training
Inspection Repair and Cleaning Practices (IRCs) require the use of safe work practices when renovating or maintaining pre-1978 rental housing and child care facilities. It also created a standard of care for inspecting, cleaning and maintaining these buildings.
Lead Poisoning Prevention
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Vermont Department of Health recommend that all children be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2. Children who live in older housing or have other potential lead exposures should be screened every year until they reach age 6. Although no obvious symptoms appear, even low levels of lead in a child’s blood can affect brain development and contribute to problems later in life. Although lead dust from deteriorated paint is the biggest hazard, there are other potential sources of contamination.
