Housing Improvement Program - Lead-Based Paint Testing Services

Jefferson County has received federal funding from the NYS Office of Community Renewal for a housing rehabilitation program that supports repairs and improvements in existing substandard homes throughout the county. Since the funding has been provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), these rehabilitation activities are subject to the federal regulations at 24 CFR Part 35, Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention in Certain Residential Structures.Before any rehabilitation work is done under this program, a Risk Assessment must be conducted in compliance with Section 35.1320 of the federal regulations to identify lead-based paint hazards and determine the appropriate treatment to eliminate those hazards in each property. That inspection must include a “lead hazard evaluation” to identify deteriorated paint surfaces and other conditions that might create lead- based paint hazards (ie: friction surfaces, impact surfaces, chewable surfaces and bare soil areas). Where appropriate, additional inspection, testing or evaluations may be conducted to confirm the presence of lead- based paint and determine the appropriate treatment to reduce lead hazards in the property.Projects included in this program may involve an investment of more than $25,000 per unit for rehabilitation improvements. “Abatement” of the interior lead hazards will be required in those cases. Otherwise, the rehabilitation work will involve “interim controls” to address lead-based paint hazards that are identified in the Risk Assessment.