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Apply for Lead Safe Housing Program

Ensure your home and family are safe from lead with the Lead Safe Housing Program!

If your home, apartment, or mobile home was built before 1978, there is a high chance it contains lead.

Don't take any risks - join Salt Lake County's program to learn how to safeguard your child from harmful lead exposure.

Plus, whether you may qualify for FREE services! It doesn't matter if you're a homeowner, landlord, or tenant. Take action now to create a safer living environment for your family. 

Apply now to ensure a safer living environment for your loved ones!

Eligibility

You are eligible for FREE services to make your home lead paint safe if:

  1. Your property was constructed before 1978.
  2. A pregnant woman or a child under six years old resides in or visits your home.
  3. Your household income meets the qualifying level (refer to Income Guidelines).

Note: If your property is in a flood zone (determined by FEMA), you must have flood insurance. (Don't worry – we can help you check if you're unsure.)

  • Property must be your primary residence
  • Must be over 18 years old with an income at or below 80% of the current area median income

How to determine if your income is at or below 80% of the current area median income

Household Size Income Level
1 person $59,400
2 people $67,850
3 people $76,350
4 people $84,800
5 people $91,600
6 people $98,400

The Area Median Income (AMI) is determined by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is based on U.S. Census Data.

  • The tenant occupying the rental unit must have income verification.  This information is kept strictly confidential and will be used only to determine the eligibility of the rental unit
  • For a period of at least three (3) years after free services have been provided, the property owner agrees to give priority in renting units to families with small children under the age of six

How it Works

Salt Lake County administers grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to qualifying homeowners, renters, and landlords to make homes lead safe for children. All services are free.

The focus of the program is to remediate lead hazards in homes built before 1978, where children under the age of six reside or visit frequently.

Services Provided

  • Visual inspection of painted surfaces
  • Risk assessment & identification of hazards
  • Dust sampling & laboratory analysis
  • Contractor selection & project management
  • Blood tests for children under age of six
  • Temporary relocation (as necessary)

Once a lead hazard is identified at a residence, possible treatment could include:

  • Window replacement
  • Removing paint from surfaces such as doorjambs or painted floors
  • Repairing & repainting areas of chipping and peeling paint
  • Specialized cleaning

Depending on the type and nature or services required, it is possible you may need to be temporarily relocated from your home or rental unit while the lead pain hazard control work is completed.  The Lead Safe Salt Lake Housing Program provides relocation assistance to cover reasonable living costs.  This may include food vouchers and temporary housing.

NOTE: The Salt Lake County Health Department recommends all children under the age of six be tested for lead exposure. Salt Lake County Lead Safe Housing Program provides testing for children under the age of six who live in qualifying properties. Usually, a “finger poke” is all that is needed to initially test for lead poisoning.

Application Instructions

The Salt Lake County Lead Safe Housing Program aims to protect families from the dangers of lead-based paint poisoning.  Complete the short pre-application form below and we will notify you if you are eligible for FREE services offered through this program.

The Lead Safe Housing Program offers various application options to make the process convenient for you. You can download the form, get assistance filling out the over the phone, or request to have it sent to you by mail or email. Our goal is to ensure that applying for the program is easy and accessible for you.

Pre-Aplicación Para el Programa de Vivienda y libre de Plomo

Pre-Application for the Lead Safe Housing Program

You can submit an application by mail, fax, or email, or you can call or text to schedule an appointment to deliver the application.

By Mail Send to:

Lead Safe Housing Program
2001 S. State Street, Suite S2-810
P.O. Box 144575
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4575


By Fax: 385.468.4894
By email: Ayda Posso - aposso@slco.org
Call/Text: 385-315-0049
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

FAQ

Lead is a naturally occurring, bluish-gray metal. It is used in the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products, and devices to shield x-rays.


Historically, lead was added to paint for pigment, speed drying, to increase durability, retain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. However, as health experts began to understand the dangers of exposure to lead, in 1978 lead was banned as a paint additive. Lead was also banned in 1996, in the United States, as an additive to gasoline.

Children are particularly at risk from harmful exposure to lead from flaking, chipping, and peeling lead paint in older homes and buildings (built before 1978).

Lead can also be found in:

  • Metal and costume jewelry
  • Toys
  • Stained glass/Leaded crystal
  • Solid/dust near lead industries, roadways, lead-painted homes
  • Ceramic ware/Glazed pottery
  • Mini blinds
  • Imported Candies (especially chili-based candy, imported from Mexico)
  • Natural calcium supplements


A blood test is the only way to tell if a child has been poisoned by lead. Usually, a “finger poke” is all that is needed to initially test for lead poisoning. If blood level results are high, however, an additional blood draw may be taken to confirm the results.

The human body cannot detect the difference between dangerous lead and calcium (a mineral that strengthens bones). Like calcium, lead remains in the bloodstream for a few weeks. Then it is absorbed into the bones, where it can collect over a lifetime.


The harmful effects of lead poisoning are permanent. Children under the age of six, are at particular risk of lead poisoning because they frequently place their hands, toys, and other objects that could have dust from lead-based paint, in their mouths.

Lead poisoning is not easy to detect. Sometimes no symptoms occur, or if they do, they mimic symptoms of more common illnesses. Symptoms associated with lead poisoning in children include:

  • Persistent tiredness or hyperactivity
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Reduced attention span
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Constipation

  • Damage to the brain & nervous system
  • Behavior & learning problems, such as hyperactivity
  • Slowed growth
  • Hearing problems
  • Headaches
  • In rare cases, children can suffer seizures, coma, and even death (from acute lead poisoning from ingestion of lead)


A blood test is the only way to tell if a child has been poisoned by lead. Usually, a “finger poke” is all that is needed to initially test for lead poisoning. If blood level results are high, however, an additional blood draw may be taken to confirm the results.

Resources

Contacts

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Ayda Posso

Lead Safe Housing Program - Outreach Coordinator

(385) 315-0049
Call or Text - SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

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Jamie West

Lead Safe Housing Program- Outreach Assistant

(385) 232-4785
Call or Text

A man with a beard.

Jayson Kenney

Lead Safe Housing Program - Program Coordinator

(385) 549-6704
Call or Text

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Susan Fox

Lead Safe Housing & Green and Healthy Homes Programs - Health Educator

(385) 232-4822
Call or Text

In compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services or alternate formats) for individuals with disabilities may be provided upon receipt of a request with five working days’ notice. To expedite accommodation requests and coordination, call 385-468-4900 or 385-468-4893.
TTY user’s: 711.