Paul Thompson
Northeast News

Historic Northeast homeowners who have children and earn less than 80% of Kansas City’s median income can now apply for a lead abatement grant from the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department.
The program is called Project Lead Safe Kansas City, and is designed to assist Kansas City homeowners with lead-based paint stabilization. Every three years, the Health Department participates in an application cycle for lead abatement grants through the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In the most recent cycle, Kansas City was one of 28 cities awarded the lead abatement grant. As a result, the City will receive $2.9 million for lead abatement over the next three years.

In addition to the requirement that the household earn less than 80% of Kansas City’s median income, the grant also requires that a child younger than six years old either lives in the residence or visits the home for more than 10 hours per week. Furthermore, homes must be built prior to 1978 in order to qualify.

If a home meets those requirements and is owner-occupied, it is eligible for 100% lead abatement at no cost to the homeowner. A licensed lead inspector will be sent by the Health Department to your home to investigate the lead hazards. Types of work may include specialized cleaning, wet scraping and repainting, replacement, encapsulation or enclosure and window replacement.

The Project Lead Safe Kansas City also provides lead abatement funds for rental properties, but property owners must contribute 15% of the total cost. Additional restrictions for lead abatement grants at rental units apply; 50% of rental units must be available for families with an income level at or below 50% of Kansas City’s median income level, and the remaining units must be occupied or available to families with incomes at or below 80% of the median income.

There is an additional $400,000 available to abate other threats to public safety, such as tripping hazards. That $400,000 can also be used to install moisture fans or smoke detectors.

For more information or to apply, call the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department at (816) 513-6048.