Lead Safe Homes Program

Geographic Scope: Santa Clara County, California

Program Type: Grant program for lead paint testing, inspection, and abatement services

The Lead Safe Homes Program (LSHP) is administered by Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley in partnership with Santa Clara County. It provides eligible residents with free lead-based paint removal and related services.

Eligibility Requirements

All of the following must be true:

• Home was built before 1978
• Home is located in Santa Clara County
• Home is a residential property with 9 or fewer units
• Household is "low-income" (income limits vary by household size, ranging from $111,700 for 1 person to $210,650 for 8 people)
• Home is occupied by a child under 6 years of age OR a pregnant person
• Both owner-occupied and tenant-occupied homes may qualify
• Renters may apply with landlord consent

Services Provided

• Lead Paint Testing & Inspection: Interior and exterior surface inspection to identify lead paint hazards
• Lead Abatement: Removal of identified lead paint hazards
• Paint Work: Re-painting of areas after lead abatement
• Temporary Relocation: Relocation expenses when required for abatement work
• Project Management: Complete coordination of scope of work, subcontractor selection, and project monitoring

Special Notes

• Currently in Pilot Phase with limited capacity
• Eligible applicants may be added to waitlist
• Mobile homes and short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) are not eligible
• Condos and apartments are eligible if they meet other requirements
• Free services to property owners

Application Process

6-Step Process:

1. Interest Form
   • Submit a simple Interest Form to express interest in the program
   • Determine initial eligibility
2. Full Application
   • If deemed potentially eligible, invited to complete full application form
   • Must be accompanied by required documentation to confirm eligibility
3. Home Inspection
   • Habitat reviews application to confirm household meets program requirements and income eligibility
   • If eligible, an eligibility letter is issued
   • Home inspection scheduled with certified lead paint inspection subcontractor
4. Scope of Work Development
   • If lead paint hazards identified, property owner meets with Habitat's Project Monitor
   • Project Monitor develops remediation plan (Scope of Work)
   • Property owner reviews, approves, and signs Scope of Work and Grant Agreement
5. Lead Abatement Execution
   • Habitat reviews and selects bids from certified abatement subcontractors
   • Temporary relocation coordinated if required
   • Lead paint hazard abatement completed
6. Project Completion
   • Lead paint inspection subcontractor completes initial clearance inspection
   • Habitat's Project Monitor conducts final inspection
   • Property owner signs Notice of Completion
   • Relocated occupants notified they may re-occupy home
   • Client satisfaction survey requested

Special Notes for Renters

• Renters may submit Interest Form
• Must include landlord/property owner contact information
• Landlord/property owner consent required if deemed eligible for services