Last updated: June 4, 2026
Peeling paint around an old window, porch, door frame, stair rail, or bedroom wall can turn a normal repair into a health problem fast, especially if a young child lives in the home.
This guide explains where to look for lead paint removal help, what programs usually mean by “lead hazard control,” and what to do before anyone sands, scrapes, replaces windows, or starts demolition in an older home.
Where to start if you need help fast
Do not start by asking, “Where do I get free lead paint removal?” Many programs do not use that phrase. Ask for lead hazard control, healthy homes help, lead-safe repair, or a lead risk assessment. In many places, the real intake point is a city housing office, county health department, state lead program, Community Action Agency, or local nonprofit, not a federal office.
| What is happening | Best first call | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| A child has an elevated blood lead test or a doctor is worried about lead. | Your child’s doctor and the local health department. | Ask whether the health department can do a home investigation, referral, or lead program intake. |
| Paint is peeling, chipping, or turning to dust in a home built before 1978. | County health department or city housing/community development office. | Ask for lead hazard control, healthy homes, or home repair programs for pre-1978 homes. |
| You are replacing windows, doors, siding, porches, or trim in an older home. | Lead-safe certified contractor or local permit office. | Ask if the job must follow EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rules. |
| You live in a rural area and cannot afford the repair. | USDA Rural Development local office. | Ask about Section 504 repair loans or grants for health and safety hazards. |
| You do not know which office handles it. | 211 or your local health department. | Ask for lead poisoning prevention, healthy homes, and home repair referrals. |
If you need a general starting point, use 211 assistance search or the local health departments directory. These are not grant approvals. They are ways to find the office that serves your address.
If there is danger now
Act before repair work starts. Lead dust can be hard to see. It can spread from one room to another on shoes, clothes, tools, toys, and heating or cooling vents.
- Keep children and pregnant people away from peeling paint, paint chips, dusty windows, porches, and active work areas.
- Do not dry sand, dry scrape, power sand, burn, or torch old paint.
- Use wet cleaning, not sweeping, for dust that may contain lead.
- Wash children’s hands often, especially before eating and sleeping.
- Call a health care provider if a child may have eaten paint chips or been exposed to lead dust.
The EPA lead pamphlet explains why homes built before 1978 need extra care. The CDC paint guide also notes that lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are major sources of lead exposure for young children in older homes.
A blood lead test is the way to know if a child has lead in their blood. CDC guidance says a capillary finger-prick test may be used for screening, but a venous blood test is used to confirm higher results. If a test is at or above CDC’s blood lead reference value, the doctor or public health office may recommend follow-up steps. Review CDC lead test guidance with a health care provider.
Call script: local health department
Hello, my home was built before 1978 and we have peeling paint or dust near windows and doors. A child lives here or visits often. Do you have a childhood lead poisoning prevention program, home lead inspection, healthy homes program, or referral list for lead hazard control help?
What “lead paint removal help” usually means
Programs often do not remove every bit of old paint from the whole house. Full paint stripping can be expensive and may create more dust if done wrong. Many programs focus on controlling the hazard so the home is safer.
Lead hazard control may include fixing peeling paint, replacing high-risk windows, enclosing old painted surfaces, sealing lead paint with approved materials, repairing friction surfaces, cleaning lead dust, and passing clearance testing after the work. A risk assessor or inspector may decide which surfaces need work. The final scope is usually based on test results, program rules, budget, and whether the home can be made safe enough within the program’s limits.
| Type of help | What it may include | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lead risk assessment | A trained person checks paint, dust, and sometimes soil to find lead hazards and recommend work. | Testing alone does not pay for repairs unless a program is available. |
| Interim controls | Paint stabilization, safe cleaning, small repairs, friction surface fixes, and temporary controls. | May need follow-up maintenance and may not be permanent. |
| Lead abatement | More permanent work, such as component replacement, enclosure, encapsulation, or removal by certified workers. | Must follow stricter rules and may require clearance testing. |
| Window or door replacement | Replacement of old painted parts that create dust through rubbing or impact. | Programs may only replace parts tied to a lead hazard, not upgrade the whole home. |
| Temporary relocation | Some programs help occupants stay elsewhere during high-risk work. | Not every program pays for relocation, and rules vary. |
| Healthy homes repairs | Moisture, mold, trip hazards, ventilation, pests, or minor safety items when tied to the funded program. | Healthy homes funds are limited and may be added only when lead work is being done. |
There is also a difference between normal renovation work and abatement. An ordinary repair may disturb paint as part of the job. Abatement is designed to address lead-based paint hazards. EPA explains this difference in its EPA abatement guide. This matters because different training, notices, work practices, and clearance rules can apply.
Who may qualify for local lead help
Lead programs are local. A household that qualifies in one county may not qualify in the next county. Some programs are open only when grant funds are active. Others keep waitlists or target certain neighborhoods.
Many local lead hazard programs look for several things at once:
- The home was built before 1978.
- The household income is under the local program limit, often tied to HUD income limits.
- A child under 6 lives there, visits often, or has an elevated blood lead level; some programs also prioritize pregnancy.
- The property is owner-occupied or the landlord agrees to program rules for a rental unit.
- The home can be inspected and the work can be completed safely within the program’s budget.
- A post-1978 home, a vacant home, or a home outside the service area is often not eligible.
HUD’s Lead Hazard Reduction program funds states, Native American tribes, cities, counties, and other local governments to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned rental or owner-occupied housing. Homeowners usually do not apply directly to HUD. They apply through the local program that received funds. You can read the general federal purpose on HUD lead grants and the current federal grant listing at the current HUD opportunity.
Income rules can be confusing because they change by county, household size, and program. Some local programs use limits such as 80 percent of Area Median Income, but you should not guess from a national number. Use the official HUD income limits tool or ask the local intake worker to check your household size and county.
Some states also run their own lead laws or lead assistance programs. For example, New Jersey lead programs, Massachusetts deleading help, and Rhode Island lead rules show how different the rules can be by state. Use those as examples of why your own state or city page matters.
Where to apply
Use this order unless your doctor or health department gives you a more direct referral.
- Call your local health department. Ask for childhood lead poisoning prevention, environmental health, or healthy homes.
- Call your city or county housing office. Ask for lead hazard control, owner-occupied rehab, CDBG repair, HOME repair, or healthy homes programs.
- Call 211. Ask for lead paint, lead abatement, home repair, and health department referrals in your ZIP code.
- Call your Community Action Agency. Ask whether weatherization, LIHEAP weatherization, or healthy homes partners can refer you.
- If rural, call USDA Rural Development. Ask about Section 504 if the home is in an eligible rural area.
- Before any paid repair work, check contractor lead certification. Do not rely on a verbal promise.
Call script: city or county housing office
Hello, I own or live in a home built before 1978 with possible lead paint hazards. Do you have a lead hazard control, healthy homes, CDBG, HOME, or owner-occupied rehab program? If not, who handles lead-safe repair help for my address?
Some local repair programs use HUD Community Development Block Grant or HOME funds. When federal housing funds are used on older housing, lead rules may apply. The HUD page on HUD repair loans lists federal and community-based repair paths, and HOME rehab rules explain how HOME funds can support homeowner rehabilitation through local jurisdictions.
If you cannot find the right office or you are considering a loan, a housing counselor can help you sort options without selling you a repair contract. HUD lets you search for a HUD housing counselor or call the national housing counseling line listed on HUD’s page.
Documents you may need
Do not wait until every document is perfect before calling. Ask the intake worker what they require. Still, gathering these items early can prevent delays.
| Proof | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and contact | Photo ID, phone number, mailing address, email if available. | The program must know who is applying and how to reach you. |
| Home ownership or right to occupy | Deed, tax bill, mortgage statement, lease, land contract, manufactured home title, or landlord form. | Lead work usually requires owner approval and clear site access. |
| Income | Pay stubs, Social Security letter, pension statement, tax return, unemployment, child support, or zero-income form. | Most programs serve low- or moderate-income households first. |
| Household members | Birth certificates, school records, custody papers, pregnancy proof if required, or proof of regular child visits. | Many lead grants prioritize children under 6 or pregnant people. |
| Lead concern | Photos, doctor letter, blood lead result, health department notice, code violation, or prior lead inspection. | It helps show urgency and may decide priority. |
| Property status | Home insurance, flood insurance if required, tax status, utility bill, and permission to inspect. | Some programs require the home to meet basic program rules before work starts. |
Tip: If your title is tangled because of heir property, a missing deed, divorce, probate, or an old contract, ask the program if they accept alternative proof. Also ask for a legal aid referral before you give up.
Safety rules for contractors and repairs
Any paid renovation, repair, or painting work that disturbs painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home may need lead-safe work practices. Contractors working under the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting program must be certified and use trained workers. EPA’s EPA work practices page explains the basic requirements, including containment, training, certain prohibited methods, and cleanup verification.
Use the EPA certified firm search before hiring. Some states and tribes run their own authorized lead programs, so a local program may tell you to use a state licensing search instead.
Call script: contractor
My home was built before 1978. Will your company disturb painted surfaces? Are you lead-safe certified for this type of work? Please send your certification, insurance, written scope, cleanup plan, and whether clearance testing is included before I sign.
Lead-safe work does not always mean the contractor will remove all lead paint. It means the work must be done in a way that reduces lead dust and protects occupants. For grant-funded abatement, the local program may choose the contractor, approve the contractor list, require bids, inspect the work, and require clearance before final payment.
Permits may still be needed for window replacement, porch work, structural work, siding, electrical, plumbing, or major rehab. A lead program may not pay for work that started before written approval. Do not sign a private contract or allow demolition to begin while you are waiting for a grant decision unless the program tells you in writing that it will not affect eligibility.
Other repair paths that may help
USDA Section 504 for rural homeowners
USDA’s Section 504 program can help very-low-income rural homeowners repair, improve, or modernize homes. Grants are for homeowners age 62 or older and must be used to remove health and safety hazards. As of this update, USDA lists a maximum loan of $40,000, a maximum grant of $10,000, and higher disaster-area grant limits for eligible presidentially declared disaster damage. See the official USDA repair program page and check your address on the USDA eligibility map.
USDA is not a special lead paint program. The repair must fit USDA rules, local funding, and the home’s needs. Ask whether a lead hazard tied to windows, peeling paint, or other health and safety work can be considered.
Weatherization and energy programs
The DOE weatherization program helps eligible low-income households reduce energy costs while addressing health and safety issues connected to weatherization work. Weatherization may stop or delay work if lead paint would be disturbed and cannot be handled safely. Some agencies coordinate with lead hazard programs for windows, insulation, or other work.
HHS guidance on HHS LIHEAP guidance says LIHEAP weatherization funds are not usually a stand-alone lead abatement source, but they may support work that meets both weatherization and lead-safe goals. Local rules decide what is possible.
Nonprofit and community repair programs
Habitat affiliates, Rebuilding Together affiliates, faith groups, and local nonprofits may offer home repair help in some communities. They may not do lead abatement themselves. If they paint, repair windows, replace trim, or disturb old surfaces, they still need to follow lead-safe rules. Ask directly whether they can work on pre-1978 homes with lead risk.
Loans should be a backup, not the first answer
For larger repairs, some homeowners consider a home repair loan, FHA 203(k), Title I property improvement loan, home equity loan, or personal loan. These can be useful for some households, but they can also put the home at risk if the payment is unaffordable. Talk with a housing counselor before borrowing for lead work, especially if a contractor is pushing the lender.
If you are denied, delayed, waitlisted, or overwhelmed
Lead programs often have more requests than funding. A denial does not always mean the hazard is not real. It may mean the home is outside the service area, the program ran out of funds, the household does not meet the income rule, no young child or pregnant person is tied to the home, the repair cost is too high, or paperwork is missing.
Ask for the reason in writing. Then ask what can be fixed. For example, you may be able to reapply with proof of child visits, a current blood lead result, missing income documents, a landlord consent form, or proof that taxes or insurance are current.
Call script: after denial
I received a denial or waitlist notice for lead hazard help. Can you tell me the exact reason, what documents are missing, whether there is an appeal or review process, and what other local programs you recommend for this address?
If the problem is legal, such as a landlord refusing repairs, a tenant facing retaliation, an heir property issue, or unclear ownership, use the legal aid finder to look for civil legal help near you. Legal aid availability and eligibility vary, so call early.
Common mistakes that slow down help
- Starting work before written approval from the program.
- Hiring a painter who is not lead-safe certified for a pre-1978 home.
- Assuming regular paint over peeling lead paint is a permanent fix.
- Throwing away letters from the health department, code office, doctor, or program.
- Not telling the intake worker that a child under 6 visits the home often.
- Missing inspection appointments or failing to move belongings from work areas.
- Using dry sanding, open-flame burning, or high-dust methods to make the home look better before inspection.
Scam and contractor warnings
Lead paint fear can make people rush. That is when bad contractors and loan sellers can cause damage. Be careful with anyone who knocks on the door, says they have leftover materials, demands full payment up front, offers a “government grant” only if you sign today, or tells you to pull permits yourself. The FTC contractor scams guide lists warning signs and safer hiring steps.
Before you sign, get a written scope. It should say what areas will be tested or treated, how dust will be contained, who will do the work, what certification applies, whether permits are needed, how cleanup will be checked, and when final payment is due. Never rely only on “we do this all the time.” For lead work, the details matter.
FAQs about lead paint removal help
Is lead paint always an emergency?
Not always. Intact lead-based paint may be managed safely if it is in good condition and not being disturbed. Peeling paint, dust, friction surfaces like windows, and renovation work are bigger concerns. If a child may have been exposed, call a health care provider about testing.
Does HUD give lead paint grants directly to homeowners?
Usually no. HUD funds states, tribes, cities, counties, and other local governments. Homeowners and renters normally apply through the local program that serves their address.
Can I remove lead paint myself?
DIY work in an older home can create dangerous lead dust. EPA recommends hiring lead-safe certified contractors for renovation, repair, and painting work in pre-1978 homes. If you do small DIY work, use lead-safe practices and do not use high-dust methods.
Will a program replace all my windows?
Maybe, but do not assume it. Many programs replace only windows, doors, trim, or other parts tied to a tested lead hazard and allowed by the budget. The inspection and program rules decide the scope.
Can renters apply?
Sometimes. A renter may be able to start the referral, especially if a child has an elevated blood lead level, but the property owner usually must allow inspection and sign program documents before work can occur.
What if my local program is closed?
Ask to be placed on a waitlist and ask who else serves your area. Try the health department, city housing office, 211, weatherization agency, USDA if rural, and a HUD-approved housing counselor. If there is a landlord or title problem, ask legal aid about your options.
About This Guide
This HomeRepairGrants.org guide uses official federal, state, local, and high-trust nonprofit/community sources mentioned in the article, including EPA, CDC, HUD, USDA, DOE, HHS/ACF, FTC, local health and housing agencies, 211, and legal aid resources.
HomeRepairGrants.org is not a government agency, does not guarantee eligibility, and is not legal, financial, tax, medical, insurance, disability-rights, or government-agency advice. Program rules, funding, income limits, repair caps, contractor rules, and waitlists can change. Always confirm details with the agency or program that serves your address.
Corrections: Email info@homerepairgrants.org with corrections.
Next review: August 17, 2026