The lead-based paint hazard reduction (LHR) grant program is to maximize the number of children under the age of six protected from lead poisoning by assisting states, cities, counties/parishes,…

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control awarded the City of Bethlehem $2.476 million on March 2, 2026, under the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program (CFDA 14.905) to conduct lead-based paint inspections, risk assessments, interim controls, and abatement in pre-1960 housing units in low-income neighborhoods, with emphasis on structures built before 1940 where children under six face elevated lead-poisoning risk.

The award extends through March 4, 2030, with performance at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The program targets housing units occupied by or rented to low- or very-low income families where children under age six are at greatest risk of lead poisoning. Activities include identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards using cost-effective methods, building local capacity of trained and certified individuals and firms to address lead hazards safely, and developing community-based approaches that integrate the grant program within other local initiatives through public and private partnerships addressing housing-related health and safety hazards. The program may include Healthy Homes Supplemental Funding to enhance lead-based paint hazard control activities by comprehensively identifying and addressing other housing hazards affecting occupant health in treated homes. All work requires completion of an environmental review and must be performed by EPA-certified contractors, inspectors, and trained workers.

Activities

Program funds will be awarded to applicants to accomplish the following objectives: a. Targeted units: target lead hazard control efforts in housing units where children less than 6 years of age are at greatest risk of lead poisoning (pre-1960, and, especially, pre-1940 construction), which has historically included children in low-income and minority neighborhoods, to reduce the likelihood of elevated blood lead levels in these children. B. Cost effectiveness: utilize cost-effective lead hazard control methods and approaches that ensure the long-term safety of the building occupants. C. Capacity: build local capacity of trained and certified individuals and firms to address lead hazards safely and effectively during lead hazard control, renovation, remodeling, and maintenance activities. Another core element for capacity includes the development of comprehensive, community-based approaches to integrating this grant program within other local initiatives through public and private partnerships that address housing related health and safety hazards and/or serve low-income families with children under the age of six (6). D. Affirmative marketing: establish and implement a detailed process of monitoring and ensuring that units made lead-safe are affirmatively marketed, and priority given, to families with children under age 6 years for not less than three years. E. Data collection: gather pre- and post-treatment data that supports and validates lead hazard control investments. Program data collected should support the evaluation of grant program activities and outcomes. F. Targeted outreach and education: conducting targeted outreach, affirmative marketing, education or outreach programs on lead hazard control and lead poisoning prevention designed to increase the ability of the applicant to deliver the specified lead hazard control services through this program; including educating owners of eligible rental properties, tenants, and others on the benefits and expectations of participating in this program provided by "title x" of the residential lead-based paint hazard reduction act of 1992.

Expected outcomes

To identify and clean up dangerous lead in low-income families' homes where low-income families were children 6 and under reside. These investments will protect families and children by targeting significant lead and health hazards in over 3,700 low-income homes for which other resources are not available.

Intended beneficiaries

To assist states, cities, counties/parishes, native american tribes or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations were children under 6 reside.

Subrecipient activities

The subrecipient activities are unknown at the time of award.