Thank you for your interest in participating in the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (ACLPPP), partnerships for affordable lead-safe housing. Funding is available from HUD to reduce lead hazards in privately owned rental housing. We encourage you to apply.

• What properties are eligible?
• What are the benefits of participating?
• What work can be done with the funding?
• What financial assistance is available?
• What are the requirements?
• What about my liability?
• How can I get more information and apply?
• What happens after I apply?

What properties are eligible?

Properties must be pre-1978 residential property in Berkeley, Emeryville or Oakland. (For assistance with properties located in the City of Alameda, call 510-749-5814.) The units must be family housing; studio apartments or SRO hotels are not eligible. The units must have low-income occupants or be vacant.

What are the benefits of participating?

The Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will provide the following free services:

• A lead risk assessment/paint inspection of your property
• Health education for families with young children to learn how to prevent lead poisoning
• A work plan to reduce lead hazards prepared by a state certified Project Designer
• Assistance with selecting qualified contractors trained in lead-safe work practices
• Project monitoring and clearance testing to assure your property is lead-safe
• A Lead-Safe Property Certificate upon completion of the work
• HUD approved training in lead-safe work practices for your maintenance crew
• A comprehensive maintenance manual to help you keep your property lead-safe

What work can be done with the funding?

When lead-based paint or soil hazards are identified, lead hazard reduction work may include:

• Safely repainting the exterior and/or interior of the property
• Replacing components such as windows and doors that are in poor condition
• Landscaping over areas of bare contaminated soil
• Specialized cleaning of lead dust

The funds available through this Program may only be used for lead hazard control work. All funds are paid directly to the contractor who has been approved to conduct the work.

What financial assistance is available?

Grants of up to $4,000 per unit are available for eligible properties. Grants do not have to be repaid provided the owner complies with the three year availability requirements (see below) for low-income families with young children. A grant lien will be placed on the property to ensure compliance and will be removed after 3 years provided the owner complies with all requirements. Supplemental no-interest deferred loan funds of up to $2,000 per unit will be available for projects that exceed the grant funding limits. Owners who complete owner-paid repairs and improvements may be eligible for some loan forgiveness on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Priority will be given to:

• Units with a child with an elevated blood lead level
• Older housing
• Units with children under age six
• Family housing with two or more bedrooms
• Properties with multiple units
• Properties located in high risk target areas such as West Oakland, East Oakland and Fruitvale
• Owners willing to invest in maintaining a lead-safe property

What are the requirements?

• Owner must have property insurance.
• Work must be conducted by contractors trained in lead-safe work practices and pre-approved by ACLPPP.
• The work needed must be feasible with the financing available, all lead hazards must be addressed and the property must meet basic standards of habitability.
• Eligible work used for loan forgiveness purposes must be pre-approved by ACLPPP.
• Rental units must be made available and marketed to low income families and the owner must give priority to families with children under six for at least three (3) years.
• The owner must maintain documentation for meeting the above requirement. The Program will provide guidance.
• Your property will be included on the Lead-Safe Housing Registry.

What about my liability?

Having a lead-safe property is the best protection against liability. Letting old lead-paint peel or doing uncontained paint removal is against state law and can increase your liability. By participating in this program you are taking pro-active steps to make your property lead-safe. At the completion of the work, you will receive a Lead-Safe Property Certificate. As with any other safety or habitability issue, on-going maintenance will be needed.

How can I get more information and apply?

To learn more and to receive an application, call the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program public information line at 510-567-8280 or E-mail us. You may also drop by the ACLPPP office Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 2000 Embarcadero, Suite #300, Oakland.

You may also apply by downloading and printing out a pre-application here. Mail your completed application to ACLPPP, 2000 Embarcadero, Suite #300, Oakland, CA 94606 or Fax to 510-567-8272.

What happens after I apply?

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility and rated based on the priority criteria mentioned above. We will be available to talk with you about how the program works, answer any questions, and offer an on-site consultation if needed. You will be notified in writing as to whether you have received preliminary approval at which time additional information will be requested. A project designer will then be assigned to your project and will work with you from start to finish to make your property lead-safe.