City of Warren Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program

The City of Warren Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program is a federally funded housing and public health initiative supported through a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Administered locally by the City of Warren Community Development Department, the program is designed to reduce and eliminate lead-based paint hazards in older residential properties. The initiative reflects a broader national effort to address lead exposure, which remains a significant environmental health risk, particularly for young children. The program emphasizes preventative intervention by identifying and remediating hazards before they result in long-term health consequences. The primary purpose of the program is to protect children and families from the harmful effects of lead exposure while improving the overall safety and quality of housing stock in Warren. The program specifically targets single-family homes built before 1978, when lead-based paint was commonly used. In addition to lead hazard control, the program incorporates a Healthy Homes component that may fund improvements addressing other safety and health concerns, creating a more comprehensive approach to residential well-being. Funding under this program is structured to minimize financial burden on participants. Eligible owner-occupants may receive lead hazard identification and remediation services at no cost, while landlords may access heavily subsidized assistance. However, landlords are required to contribute a 10 percent copay toward abatement costs. In exchange, landlords must agree to certain affordability and tenant-priority conditions, including prioritizing families with children under six years old for a minimum of three years following project completion. The funding does not rely on local property taxes, as it is entirely federally sourced. Eligibility requirements vary depending on applicant type. Homeowner-occupants must meet income thresholds aligned with HUD’s moderate income limits and must have either a pregnant woman residing full-time in the home or a young child who regularly visits. Landlords may apply for occupied units where tenants meet income eligibility criteria or for vacant units that will be made available to low- to moderate-income households. These criteria ensure that the program prioritizes households at higher risk of lead exposure. The application process is straightforward and begins with submission of an Expression of Interest. Property owners initiate participation, while tenants are encouraged to inform landlords about the opportunity. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until available funding is exhausted, making early submission advantageous. Additional program details, eligibility verification, and submission instructions are accessible through the City of Warren’s official website or by contacting the Community Development Department directly via email or phone. The program does not specify a formal evaluation rubric but implies prioritization based on eligibility compliance, risk factors such as presence of young children, and readiness of the property for remediation. Upon completion of funded work, property owners receive official documentation certifying that the home has been assessed and made lead safe. This certification provides both assurance of safety and potential added value for the property. While the program operates on a rolling basis, it represents a continuation of a previously implemented initiative, suggesting potential recurrence depending on future federal funding allocations. There is no defined performance period provided, but participation is tied to completion of remediation activities and, for landlords, compliance with post-project rental requirements. The initiative underscores the City of Warren’s commitment to improving housing conditions and safeguarding public health through targeted, federally supported interventions.