Lead and Healthy Homes Program

The Lead Hazard Control/Healthy Homes (LHCHH) program is a federal grant program that provides funding for cities to mitigate lead-based paint hazards and related home health and safety issues. Malden’s Housing Rehab program uses LHCHH and other funds to address health and safety problems in units occupied by low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents. To apply, click here.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards LHCHH funds through a competitive grant process. In November 2021, the City of Malden was awarded a $3,100,715 LHCHH grant covering a 42-month period, $600,000 of which is set aside for Healthy Homes-related work as described below. Funds from this program must remediate lead paint hazards in 142 housing units before May 1, 2025 consistent with the Massachusetts Lead Law. Each property will receive a Massachusetts Compliance Letter (or equivalent) upon completion of the work and be posted in the City’s online registry of lead-abated properties.

Eligible Work
Lead hazard control funds must be used to remediate lead hazards. This work may include replacing lead-painted windows, exterior doors, and exterior repainting. All properties receiving Lead Hazard Control funds are eligible to receive Healthy Homes Supplemental funds. These funds can be used to correct non-lead paint related health and safety hazards. Examples of healthy homes repairs include but are not limited to the following:

• Replacement of lead water service pipes
• Remediation of radon, mold, and asbestos
• Replacement of defective, outdated, and obsolete smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repairs 
• Roof, gutter, and downspout repairs
• Interior and exterior staircase repairs
• Repair of “trip and fall” hazards including replacement of defective floor coverings, and
• Many other common health and safety hazards

The maximum lead hazard control grant is $9,100 per dwelling unit and the maximum amount of healthy homes supplemental funds is $5,000 per unit. Malden’s Housing Rehab program frequently combines these funds with other available funding. 

Only homes built prior to 1978, when lead paint products were banned, are eligible. Homes with children under six are given priority. Both rental properties and owner-occupied properties are eligible, but the household residing in the unit must be low- or moderate-income (LMI), as described under the Benefits to Tenants and Property Owners section.

Healthy Homes Production Program
The Healthy Homes Production (HHP) program is similar to the Lead Hazard Control/Healthy Homes Program. However, the LHCHH program requires lead abatement and compliance with the Massachusetts Lead Law in order to receive healthy homes supplemental funds. The Healthy Homes Production program does not require lead abatement. These funds can be provided for any property in Malden. Pre and post 1978 properties are eligible and applicants are not prioritized based on young children residing in the building. Eligible repairs for the Healthy Homes Production program are similar to those mentioned for the LHCHH program.  

HUD awarded $1,678,177 in Healthy Homes Production funds to the City of Malden. These funds will be used to repair healthy homes hazards in 99 dwelling units between April 1, 2022, and October 1, 2025. The maximum healthy homes production grant will be $10,000 per dwelling unit.  

Benefits to Tenants and Property Owners 
Both programs are administered by Malden’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD). They are both designed to benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents and create safer housing for Malden families.  

Property owners and tenants must complete applications demonstrating the occupant’s annual household income is less than 80% of the Area Median Income. The funds are provided in the form of a three-year forgivable loan. There are no payments, no interest, and the loan is forgiven after three years if the owner complies with the program requirements. Program requirements include that the unit covered continues to house a low- or moderate-income household, and that rents be kept below Fair Market Rent. The applications are accepted any time during the grant’s period of performance.  

Malden tenants benefit from these programs because they will reside in safer housing and their rent payments will be less than the Fair Market Rents established by HUD. Information regarding Area Median Incomes and Fair Market Rents can be found at HUD User Home Page | HUD USER.  

Owner-occupants benefit from the program because their properties are improved and their homes are safer. Investor-owners also benefit from these programs because their properties are in compliance with the Massachusetts Lead Law. The majority, if not all of the cost of compliance is paid for by the program. Owners are also eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $1,500 for each unit that is brought into compliance with the lead law. More information regarding the Massachusetts Lead Law and the tax credit can be found at Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program | Mass.gov.  

Information for Grantees, Subrecipients, and Contractors
All grantees, subrecipients and contractors (this does not include property owners) awarded contracts funded with Federal dollars or receiving LHCHH and HHP funds must register with the federal debarment clearinghouse System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and must provide proof of active status on SAM.gov in order to comply with Federal regulations. Registration is free, though it can take several weeks to become active. If a grantee, subrecipient or contractor does not register, they will not be considered qualified and, therefore, will not be able to contract with the City of Malden for activities funded with LHCHH and/or other Federal dollars. Get SAM.gov information and registration directions here. While some businesses may attempt to charge a fee for SAM.gov registration, registration is free for all users.

Contractors interested in working in the LHCHH and HHP programs must fill-out the Contractor Application which can be found at the bottom of this webpage.  The application period is open for the duration of the grant.  Successful applicants will be placed on a list of eligible contractors and will be invited to bid on individual lead hazard control and/or healthy homes projects.  Section 3 contractors – those that hire local workers who are low- or moderate-income consistent with the City’s Section 3 Policy – are encouraged to apply.