Chattanooga Lead Safe and Healthy Homes

Sorry, this program is closed.

Find out about the Environmental Protection Agency's ongoing efforts to address lead contamination in Chattanooga. Visit the Subrecipient and Landlord Resources page for information about the Southside Chattanooga Lead Site. 

The City of Chattanooga Office of Community Development administers a Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program that provides grant funding to prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning and improve health and safety conditions for low (owner-occupied homes) and very-low (landlord owned/tenant occupied homes) income families residing in homes built prior to 1978, within the City of Chattanooga zip codes. The purpose of this grant award is to control or remediate hazardous conditions where children may live, visit, or play caused by the presence of deteriorating, peeling, and chipping, lead-based paint and improve conditions that are identified as harmful to health. The program is limited to homes constructed prior to 1978, and occupied by low or very-low income owners or tenants. Owner-occupied homes must have a child less-than 6 years of age that either resides in or visits the house on a regular and frequent basis. Tenant occupied homes do not require an associated child to be eligible for funding, however, occupants must income qualify.

The Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Program is funded by grants received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through competitive grant applications. This is the first award received by the City of Chattanooga. We are planning to provide lead-based paint inspections and risk assessments in approximately 85 units and lead hazard control and healthy home repairs in approximately 75 homes. The control/remediation work can vary from painting to replacement of deteriorated components. In some cases, if deteriorated lead paint is found on window sashes or exterior doors these windows and doors may be replaced with Energy Star rated new units. The program may also enclose fascia, gutter boards and soffits with aluminum and in some instances, install new vinyl siding to enclose an existing lead painted surface determined to be a hazard to the occupants. This grant will also provide education on the hazards of lead-based paint to local residents and training to local contractors and landlords on clean-up and maintenance of properties where lead-based paint hazards have been identified.

Healthy Home repairs will be provided in a minimum of 40 units where lead-based paint hazards have also been identified. This will consist of an inspection to determine if hazards are present that can affect the health and safety of the occupants and provide repairs to address hazards where funding allows. Small plumbing/drain repair, smoke alarm installation, lighting/fan repair and installation, and safety rail/grab bar installation are some of the services that can be provided through this funding.

How to qualify when the homeowner lives in the home:

● Meet income and other eligibility requirements as described in the program brochure. 

● Live within the city limits of Chattanooga in a house built before 1978.

● Be the owner of record and current with real estate property taxes.

● Have at least one child less-than 6 years of age that either resides there or visits the house on a regular and frequent basis. *(such as two – 3-hour visits per week or 60 hours per year)

For more information about the dangers of lead-based paint and healthy home safety:

Lead in Soil

Lead Paint Safety Field Guide

Steps to a Lead Safe Renovation

For More Information:

US Environmental Protection Agency at https://www.epa.gov/lead

US Center for Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead

US HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes at https://www.hud.gov/healthyhomes

National Center for Healthy Housing at https://nchh.org or 1-877-312-3046

National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-5323 or

https://www.epa.gov/lead/forms/lead-hotline-national-lead-information-center