Grants and funding opportunities
Lead paint removal grant
We offer a variety of programs to help families prevent and reduce the risk of lead poisoning, including a grant of up to $15,000 in lead removal work for eligible families.
The government banned lead paint in 1978, but homes built before then likely have some level of lead that is still present. Lead poisoning is especially dangerous for young children and can have serious effects on their health, including brain and nervous system damage, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems.
Every year, an average of 200 children in the county are found to have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health.
Eligibility
Homeowners and landlords may be eligible for help to detect and remove lead paint. This includes a free home test and up to $15,000 in grant funding for home improvement work.
You may be qualified if:
- Your home or rental property was built before 1978
- A child under the age of six lives at or regularly visits your home or rental property
- Your household meets income requirements
Fill out the intake form to see if you qualify
Interpreter services
If you need help completing the intake form, please contact us for free interpreter services:
- 612-543-4182
- healthyhomes@hennepin.us
View the program brochure
Protect your growing family from lead (PDF, 3MB)
Landlords
- Rental properties are eligible, with occupant consent
- Qualification is based off occupant income
- Landlords should list occupant income in the intake form
- You must cover a minimum of 10% of the cost of repairs. Financing is available, to be determined during the grant process.
Process
Find out if you qualify
- Complete an intake form.
- If you meet the preliminary qualifications for a grant, we will check your home for health and safety hazards.
- We assist you in completing a grant application. We verify your income and other requirements.
Inspection and preparation
- Our team completes a full home inspection to take lead readings and identify all the home’s lead hazards.
- Once all the results are processed, we meet with you at your home to discuss the results, work needed, and what the grant can cover.
Lead removal work
- The contractor will schedule the work.
- No one can live at the home during repairs.
- The grant covers lodging expenses up to $175 per day or $875 per week.
Lead-contaminated household items
In addition to peeling paint in homes built before 1978, common household products may also cause lead exposure.
Potential sources of lead contamination
Common household items
- Imported spices, including turmeric and chili powder
- Cosmetics such as sindoor and kumkum
- Imported candy containing chili powder and tamarind
- Traditional cookware/pottery that is glazed with lead paint
- Imported aluminum cookware
Traditional medicines
- Ba-baw-san, a Chinese herbal remedy
- Daw Tway, a digestive aid used in Thailand
- Greta and Azarcon, Hispanic traditional medicine used for upset stomach
- Ghasard, an Indian folk medicine
If you’re concerned that you or a family member is using a product that may contain lead, Hennepin County may be able to help. At no cost to you, Hennepin County can test products and determine if they contain lead. Testing does not damage your products, and they will be returned to you in the same condition as they were received.
For more information on how to get your products tested email healthyhomes@hennepin.us or call 612-461-4602.
Funding for other home health hazards
Asthma triggers
If you have a child with asthma, you may be eligible for a home visit to identify possible health and safety hazards. You may also get free supplies to help reduce asthma triggers like dust mites, pests, and mold.
Contact us at healthyhomes@hennepin.us or at 612-543-4182.
Home repair program
If you live in suburban Hennepin County, you may be eligible for our home repair program. You can get help repairing health and safety hazards like radon and mold.