What is a lead hazard?
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. It becomes a hazard when it peels, chips, or wears down into dust, often on windows, doors, stairs, porches, and railings. Lead can also be in the soil around older homes.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
Make Your Trenton Home Lead-Safe.
The City of Trenton is working to reduce lead-based paint hazards and help eligible households access safer housing through its Lead Hazard Reduction Program.
Prefer to talk? Call [609-000-0000] · Información en español
Free inspections for eligible homes
We find where lead hazards are in the home.
Repairs by certified professionals
Approved work to control or remove hazards.
Testing before we finish
Clearance testing checks the home is lead-safe.
About the program
Lead is a hidden danger in many older Trenton homes. We can help.
Why young children are at risk
Children under six crawl, play on floors, and put hands and toys in their mouths. Their growing bodies absorb lead more easily, and even low levels can affect learning, attention, and behavior. Lead exposure during pregnancy can also affect a baby.
Screening vs. fixing the home
A lead screening is a blood test that checks whether a person has been exposed to lead; ask your child’s doctor or clinic. Lead hazard reduction is work on the home itself to find and fix the source. This program does the home work.
What the City is doing
With a grant from HUD, the City of Trenton is making older homes lead-safe for families with low and moderate incomes, especially homes where young children live or visit, and connecting residents to health and housing resources.
Eligibility
Is it worth applying? Take the 1-minute checklist.
What we offer
What assistance may be available?
Lead inspection & risk assessment
A certified inspector tests painted surfaces, dust, and soil to find lead and judge the risk.
Finding and evaluating hazards
You get a clear report of where hazards are and which ones need attention first.
Lead hazard reduction work
Certified contractors repair or replace items like windows, doors, and trim, and stabilize or cover lead-painted surfaces.
Clearance testing
After work is done, dust samples are tested to confirm the area is safe before the family returns.
Lead-safe living education
Simple tips for cleaning, maintaining painted surfaces, and keeping your home lead-safe over time.
Referrals
Connections to child blood-lead testing, health services, housing, and family-support programs.
What does it cost?
For households accepted into the program, the inspection, risk assessment, approved lead hazard reduction work, and clearance testing are paid for with grant funds, at no cost to the household.
Limits and conditions
- Not every applicant receives every service. Work is based on the hazards found in your home.
- Assistance is capped at $25,000 per home.
- The program focuses on lead hazards. Related health and safety repairs may also be covered with HUD Healthy Homes funds. General remodeling is not covered.
- Owners sign a written agreement. Rental owners agree to keep units affordable and give priority to families with young children for a set period.
Your exact terms are explained in writing before any work begins.
How to apply
7 steps to a lead-safe home
- 1
Get the application
Download the application below, pick one up at the program office, or call and we will mail you a copy.
- 2
Complete it and gather documents
Fill out and sign every page, and collect all of the required documents. Staff can answer questions by phone.
- 3
Return your complete application
Drop it off or mail it with copies of every document. Ownership is verified through City tax records, so no deed is needed.
- 4
Eligibility review
Staff review only complete applications. If anything is missing, we contact you and the review waits until it arrives.
- 5
Schedule an assessment
We arrange a lead inspection and risk assessment and confirm the property can take part.
- 6
Review the proposed work
Staff explain the scope, schedule, your responsibilities, and any temporary relocation or access plans.
- 7
Work completed & verified
Certified professionals do the approved work. The home must pass clearance testing before the project is complete.
How long each step takes depends on your home and the documents needed. Staff will give you an expected timeline once your application is reviewed.
Find your path
Choose the option that fits you
Homeowners
If you own and live in your home, check eligibility and submit a complete application with all required documents.
Check eligibilityTenants & families
Renters can start the process. Because the work is done on the building, your landlord must agree to take part and sign an agreement. We can contact them with you.
Get the applicationLandlords & property owners
Enroll rental units, provide access for inspections and work, and sign an agreement covering affordability and priority for families with young children.
Get the applicationCommunity partners
Health providers, schools, faith groups, and nonprofits can refer households, with their permission.
Refer a householdContractors & vendors
The program’s certified contractor is already on board. Learn about the work standards they follow.
Contractor informationQuestions
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question?
Send it here and program staff will reply. You can also call [609-000-0000] or email [leadsafe@trentonnj.org].
Our team
Meet the people behind the program
C. Diego Minacapelli, MD
Authorized Official
[One sentence on why Dr. Minacapelli is passionate about this work.]
Email:[work email]
Phone:[work phone]
Luis Pedemonte
Grant Administrator
[One sentence on why Luis is passionate about this work.]
Email:[work email]
Phone:[work phone]
Jaylen Hackett, MPP, MBA
Program Manager
[One sentence on why Jaylen is passionate about this work.]
Email:[work email]
Phone:[work phone]
Fantaija Graves
Program Associate
[One sentence on why Fantaija is passionate about this work.]
Email:[work email]
Phone:[work phone]
John Rodriguez, MPH
Program Associate
[One sentence on why John is passionate about this work.]
Email:[work email]
Phone:[work phone]
Resources
Lead safety resources and community partners
Has your child tested high for lead? Contact the Bureau of Lead Case Management.
Trenton’s Bureau of Lead Case Management, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, works with families of children with elevated blood-lead levels. It provides health case management, home visits, and education in English and Spanish. This is a separate service from the HUD housing program on this page, which repairs lead hazards in homes. Families can use both.
Visit the Bureau of Lead Case ManagementPrevent lead exposure
Get started
Apply: application and required documents
Staff review only complete applications.
Please return the signed application together with every document listed below. Incomplete applications are not reviewed, and staff will contact you about what is missing.
Printed applications are available at the program office, or call and we will mail you one.
Every household
- The completed, signed application
- Photo ID for every adult (18+) in the household
- Proof of income for every adult in the household (for example, recent pay stubs, benefit award letters for Social Security, SSI, unemployment, or TANF, or the most recent tax return). Adults with no income sign a no-income statement, included in the application.
- Proof that a child under 6 lives in or regularly visits the home (such as a birth certificate), or a doctor’s note confirming pregnancy, if either applies
Homeowners, also include
- Proof of current homeowner’s insurance
- Signed owner agreement and consent to inspection, included in the application
Tenants, also include
- A copy of your current lease
- The landlord participation form, signed by the property owner, included in the application
Landlords enrolling rental units, also include
- Proof of current property insurance
- A list of units with current rent and tenant contact information
- Income documents for the tenant household in each unit to be served
You do not need to send a deed. Staff verify ownership through City tax records.
How to return your application
- In person
- [Office name, Room ___], Trenton City Hall, 319 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
[Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.] - By mail
- [Lead Hazard Reduction Program, Department of Health and Human Services], Trenton City Hall, 319 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Send copies, not originals. Staff can make copies for you in person.
For partners
Refer a household
Please get the household’s permission before referring them. Share only contact details and the reason for the referral. Do not include medical records or test results.