New York State Assemblyman David Gantt and Senator Joe Robach have introduced a bill that would include a tax credit for any lead hazard control work. Both the City of Rochester and Monroe County have received lead hazard control grant funding in the past, and have applied for new funding in this federal fiscal year. An EPA grant has provided funding for a “packager” to help individual owners finance lead hazard control and to generate new loan and grant options.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks has pledged to incorporate the code’s lead provisions in pre move-in inspections of homes of families on public assistance. Thus, the new ordinance and the promised County program change will complement each other to reduce lead hazards in the housing of children at highest risk. This city-county model of primary prevention could inform national efforts to promote lead safety in all public assistance housing.

The new Rochester ordinance has several nationally significant features. First, it reflects our growing understanding of lead poisoning prevention. The law incorporates recent research on the efficacy of interim controls performed by people trained in Lead Safe Work Practices. It builds on the observation that primary prevention resources should target the highest risk housing. The law responds to findings about the importance of dust hazards by requiring dust wipes in high risk housing that pass a visual inspection and by requiring a clearance after work is done.

Currently, the City of Rochester has lead hazard control grants for investor owners (landlords) and owner occupants. You may learn more about this grant program by calling 428-6827.

There are several agencies that can assist with free risk-assessments, loans and materials to conduct lead hazard control work. For a list of such agencies, please click here.

Additional Funding Information is Available for:

• Owner occupants:   English   Spanish
• Landlords:    English   Spanish

The Housing Council operates a HEPA vacuum lending program. HEPA vacuums remove lead dust by trapping it in a special filter that conventional vacuums do not have. This agency has vacuums in their inventory which they make available to property owners by calling 546-3700.

Classes are available nearly every weekend. Please click here to view the class calendar, which provides a number to contact for sign-up.

For general information about lead:

• National Lead Information Center www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/pubs/nlic.htm (800) 424-LEAD
  
• Monroe County Dept. of Public Health www.monroecounty.gov 753-5087
  
• Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning www.leadsafeby2010.org 256-2260