Lead, though a naturally occurring element, can have severe health effects on the human body. Housing built before 1978 is at risk of having lead-based paint present, and as the paint ages it begins to deteriorate (peel, chip, chalk, or crack).

Young children, particularly children under the age of 6, are easily exposed to lead dust produced from deteriorating lead-based paint, as the dust tends to settle on floors and can be easily ingested through children’s normal hand-to-mouth behavior.

Depending on the level of exposure, lead has been found to have substantial short-term impacts on the development of young children:

There are also long-term impacts of lead exposure on both the child’s future and the future of a community:

• Sustaining health problems and increased utilization of medical services
• Learning deficits and need for special education
• Criminal behavior and run-in with law enforcement
• Employment difficulties

Most importantly: The effects of lead are preventable!

All program activities and work is coordinated by Lead Safe Homes Program staff, as well as community partner organizations, who remain in contact with the owners and residents throughout the process.

LEAD WORK

Each enrolled housing unit is eligible for a maximum of $20,000 in lead grant funds.

The program includes:

• Lead inspection and risk assessment to find lead paint and identify lead paint hazards
• Lead remediation / renovation work to address the lead paint hazards that were found (if any). Addressing hazards could include performing minor repairs involving new windows, doors, siding, trim, exterior & interior painting, porch repair, etc.

SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTHY HOMES WORK

In addition to the main grant funds offered for lead hazard remediation/renovation, the program also offers small and discretionary Healthy Homes grants to supplement lead work done in the home:* These Healthy Homes grants can be used to identify and address other potential health factors of the home, and to create an overall healthier place to live.

*All supplemental funds of this kind are offered at the discretion of the program staff, and will not be deployed based on request, though they are only used if the owner agrees in writing.

The program is for any privately owned residential property, regardless of the known presence of lead. The program can be used for either a prevention of lead poisoning, or as a reaction to learned lead poisoning of a child in the home. If it is a rental property, both the landlord and the resident(s) must be in agreement.

The eligible property / unit must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be within McHenry County
• Be occupied by a household that is under 80% of the Area Median Income
  • This calculation includes all income from all adults living in the home, even if they are not related or not filing taxes together
  • Check this chart for Area Median Income limits at the HUD User website by selecting “Chicago-Joliet-Naperville HUD Metro FMR Area” in the drop-down.
• Have a child under the age of 6 (0-5) living there;
  OR have a child under the age of 6 (0-5) who visits three (3) hours a day on two (2) separate days a week and a total of sixty (60) hours per year;
  OR have a pregnant woman living there;
  OR be a vacant rental unit and promised for marketing to low income families
• Be built before 1978 (1977 and older)

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application and intake process involves a multi-step process leading up to actual work occurring in the housing unit:

1. Full Application
   • The full application will be completed by the residents of the unit (unless vacant) in an online application portal. The application will ask more detailed information regarding the housing unit and residents – the residents will be required to provide information and/or documentation.
2. Application Interview
   • Once the application is submitted, the property owner and residents will be informed about whether they are eligible for enrollment.
   • The property owner will need to complete their own application, which will be linked to the resident application.
3. Enrollment Meeting
   • Program staff will reach out to the property owner and residents to schedule a meeting to go over next steps, answer any questions, sign necessary forms, and make sure that all parties are prepared for the project to begin.

PRIORITIZATION OF APPLICATIONS

Typically, the program will process pre-applications in the order they were received. However, any housing unit with children who have a documented Elevated Blood Level (EBL) will be put at the top of the list of projects to be completed. Additionally, over the life of the program, half of all application spots will be saved for housing units with very low-income renters whose income is below 50% of the Area Median Income limit.

After being accepted and enrolled in the program, steps will need to be taken to prepare for lead remediation/renovation. Renovation work itself typically takes about ten (10) days. This may also involve temporary relocation of the residents while the work is done.

Please reference this chart for a typical project timeline from start to finish:

The Lead Safe Homes Program is not a medical service, program, or resource. The best resource regarding lead and your child’s health is your child’s Pediatrician. Pediatrician offices are typically able to perform medical evaluations and testing for lead poisoning. Contact your child’s Pediatrician regarding any questions, concerns, or inquiries about your child’s health.

McHenry County Health Department

• Clinic Services web page
• Clinic services available for a Lead Risk Assessment and/or blood testing; (815) 334-4500 to schedule an appointment

Lead Safe Illinois Initiative

• Lead Safe Illinois web page
• Information available: Lead facts, home safety, family safety, prevention, and laws

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

• Lead Exposure and Lead Poisoning web page
• Information available: Lead poisoning and its effects on children, prevention, detection, treatment, information for families, webinar/instruction on how to get your child tested for lead poisoning

Center for Disease Control (CDC) - Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

• Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention web page
• Information available: Lead poisoning prevention, data and statistics, publications and resources, state and local programs

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Lead

• Lead web page
• Information available: General information about lead, lead assessment, lead renovation, and lead in your home

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Protect Your Family from Lead-Based Paint

• Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home web page
• Information available: How to keep your family safe from lead