The Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program is designed to assist eligible homeowners and landlords in the identification and remediation of lead hazards in eligible units within the City of Toledo.

About the Program

The property will be assessed and tested by a State of Ohio Licensed Lead Risk Assessor for lead-based paint hazards and for any other code violations, including any moisture issues. The lead-based paint program is designed to make houses lead-safe, not to correct code violations, such as roof leaks or plumbing leaks. Any lead remediation costs beyond the scope of the grant program will be the responsibility of the property owner.

Funding for the program was received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. To request additional information and begin the program intake process, please call 419-245-1400.

Owner-Occupied Program

Eligibility

1. Property was built before 1978
2. Applicant is property owner of record
3. Identifiable lead hazards are present
4. Owner is current on property taxes and mortgage payments
5. Property is structurally sound with no major code deficiencies
6. Property is the primary residence for children under six, a pregnant mother, or the household can attest that children under the age of 6 regularly visit the residence (regularly means the child must visit twice in the same week for three hours or more, and there are 10 weeks in a year this occurs).
7. All children under 6 who reside in the home must be tested prior to and after the lead-based pain work completion
8. Owner-occupant meets the HUD income guidelines
9. A grant agreement and recorded restrictive covenant will be required between the property owner and the City of Toledo

Qualified owner-occupied properties may be eligible for a grant of up to $16,000 to address lead hazards, however, assistance will vary with the needs of the property. Funds to address required safety and code deficiencies may be available through other city programs based on eligibility.

Owner Occupied Lead Remediation Program Application

Rental Property Program

Eligibility

1. Property was built before 1978
2. Applicant is property owner of record
3. Identifiable lead hazards are present
4. Owner is current on property taxes and mortgage payments
5. Property is structurally sound with no major code deficiencies
6. All children under 6 who reside in the home must be tested prior to and after the lead-based pain work completion
7. Tenant meets the HUD income guidelines. Priority is given to households that fall at or below HUD's 50% media area income, however households at or below 80% are considered.

A grant agreement and recorded restrictive covenant will be required between the property owner and the City of Toledo
Qualified rental properties may be eligible for a grant of up to $14,000 to address lead hazards, however, assistance will vary with the needs of the property. Funds to address required safety and code deficiencies may be available through other city programs based on eligibility.

Rental Property Lead Remediation Program Application

Owner/Tenant Income Eligibility*

*Income maximums are set at 80% of HUD area median income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Property Owners

What happens after I submit my application?

The LBPHC program will review the application. If anything is missing, a letter will be sent to the applicant requesting the missing information with a 2-week deadline. Once an application is complete, applicants will be notified of eligibility and enrollment status. If the unit is eligible their project will be placed on a list of those ready for an LBPHC assessment and inspection. This list is ordered by priority of their project (usually related to current occupancy of the building) and by the date application was completed.

How long does the process take?

This is a complex, often lengthy process involving many different departments. Most of the work takes place behind the scenes but can take 4 to 8 months from application to project completion. This can vary in either direction on a number of factors. Please evaluate your financial needs and any existing orders’ deadlines when considering participation in the program.

Are all applications approved?

No – the application will be reviewed and the property evaluated to determine eligibility. The major requirement is that the property be home to, or suitable as a home for low-income families with children under the age of 6, but there are other items, such as location, the existence of lead hazards and code violations, the status of mortgage, and/or tax payments and cost, that will also be reviewed. Following a review of a completed application and the property assessment, the program will determine if the property can be addressed in the program.

I have a deadline to complete work by a certain date. Will the work be done in time?

The LBPHC program cannot guarantee completion of a project by any date or deadline.

Does the program cost anything?

There is no fee to apply. Qualified applicants will receive assistance as a grant, however, if the project’s cost exceeds the grant cap, the owner will be required to contribute any costs above this amount to complete their project. All owner’s contributions are due at contract closing.

Although the recording cost of the restrictive covenant is covered by the grant, fees associated with the release of the restrictive covenant (currently $32) will be the responsibility of the owner.

If a rental unit is enrolled in a vacant status and occupied before work can be started/completed the owner will be responsible for any temporary relocation costs.

Owner-occupants will be responsible for covering costs associated with their own temporary relocation.

What else is required of the owner if the project is enrolled?

All owners are required to appear in person on several occasions to meet with LBPHC personnel and to sign program documents and vouchers. If this is not possible, the owner must name a local representative that can meet this requirement for them, by providing a power of attorney recorded in Lucas County, Ohio.

All owners must agree to allow a 3-year restrictive covenant to be recorded on their property.

What is the restrictive covenant on my property and why is it required by the program?

The assistance through the LBPHC program is provided as a grant, however, a three-year restrictive covenant is recorded on the property to ensure continued occupancy of low to moderate-income households and leasing priority to households with children under the age of six years old (in the case of a rental unit).

The covenant is transferrable and in the event the Owner sells the property to an Owner Occupant, the sales price will be affordable to households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income as adjusted for family size and as established by HUD (“Low Income Households”) and the property will be sold to a Household at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

If the property is sold to an Owner Investor, the lease restrictions will remain in effect until the end of the original covenant (the Owner Investor’s income is not a factor).

When the property is rented to tenants, the rental housing units on the property will remain affordable to and be rented to tenants whose income is not more than 80 percent of the area median income and continue to be affirmatively market their building to low-income families with children under the age of 6.

Will occupants (owner or tenants) have to move out of the property?

Temporary relocation, while lead hazard control is being completed, is almost always required. Eligible tenants (in rental units) will be given financial assistance to aid them in relocation through the program.

The program is restricted from assisting owner‐occupants financially with temporary relocation, therefore owner-occupants will be responsible for covering costs associated with their own temporary relocation.

What happens if a current tenant moves out, and/or a new tenant moves in?

It is very important that you notify our program immediately regarding ANY change of occupancy before work is done. New tenants will have to complete tenant applications and submit supporting documentation just as current tenants did. If a property is vacated, we will keep the former tenants' documentation but will update our records to reflect the change in occupancy. The same applies if the unit is initially enrolled as vacant.

Are vacant rental units eligible?

Yes a vacant unit can be enrolled into the program. If an eligible vacant unit is occupied before lead hazard control work can begin the landlord will be responsible for their tenant’s temporary relocation costs. The new tenant’s eligibility information will still have to be submitted to the LBPHC program and the household must be income eligible.

The property I want to enroll is a rental property, and one or more of the tenants will not agree to participate and/or submit the occupant application with financial information. What do I do?

Tenant agreement to participate is essential to a property being enrolled in our program. You can encourage tenants by detailing the improvements to building safety, energy efficiency, and protection from lead poisoning enrollment in the program will often bring.

Often tenants are unsure about providing specific household and financial information to a landlord and/or a government program. You can let them know that this information is ONLY used by our program to ensure occupants indeed qualify with the program requirements. If tenants are uncomfortable providing their landlord with their occupant application and supporting documentation, this can be submitted (by them) directly to our program office.

Tenants/Occupants

Why am I being asked to submit this information?

Your landlord has applied to the City of Toledo, Department of Neighborhood’s Lead-Based paint Hazard Control program to make your home lead‐safe. In order for the application to be approved, the LBPHC program must gather information about the current occupant(s). All occupants must be considered low‐income, and priority is given to occupants that have children under the age of 6 living with them or visiting frequently.

Can I submit the information directly to the LBPHC program (instead of giving it to my landlord)?

Yes! You may submit complete documents to the addresses listed in this application.

When will work start on my home or unit?

Usually, projects are completed within 4 to 8 months of submitting applications. This can vary quite a bit, depending on the project itself, weather, contractor schedule, and any number of unforeseen circumstances. You will be given more information about work start dates and temporary relocation dates as the project progresses.

Why should I agree to participate in this program?

The biggest benefit to participating is that your home will be made lead‐safe for you, children under 6 years old that live with you or visit, and for your pets. This often (but not always) includes window replacement, which can improve safety, energy efficiency, and the look of your home.

Will this program cost me anything?

This program will not cost you anything above your normal rent and monthly utilities (or anything else you normally pay to live in your home). For health and safety reasons, most tenants will be required to temporarily relocate, either to a vacant unit in their building or to another location. In either situation, current tenant‐occupants will receive assistance through the program to help with accommodations.

What if I decide to move from this home permanently after completing an occupant application, but before the work is completed?

The program is required to keep your application on file after you move, but we will not use it for any purpose. The project in the home you are renting will not necessarily be affected by your move. You will not receive any financial assistance from the program to move permanently.

Who do I contact with questions or concerns?

Contact your landlord with questions or concerns about the LBPHC program or the LBPHC program directly at 419-214-1400.