$1.43M contract tied to federal grant will fund inspections, repairs and lead hazard removal in older houses across Montgomery County
Montgomery County officials have approved a $1.43 million contract aimed at removing dangerous lead hazards from older homes, a program that could have meaningful implications for communities like Lansdale where the vast majority of housing predates the federal ban on lead-based paint.
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, according to MediaNews Group, authorized the roughly three-year agreement between the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and Genesis Housing Corporation, of Norristown, to administer services under the county’s Lead Hazard Control Program.
The contract runs from March 1 through May 15, 2029 and is funded through a federal Lead Hazard Control Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, per the report.
The program is designed to identify and remediate lead hazards in residential properties while creating “lead-safe housing for Montgomery County children,” according to county documents.
Federal funding to remove lead hazards
The effort stems from a $1.8 million grant awarded to Montgomery County in October 2024 through HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.
Through the program, certified inspectors test homes for lead-based paint and dust contamination. If hazards are identified, certified contractors perform repairs designed to make the home lead-safe. Typical work includes repairing or repainting deteriorating painted surfaces, replacing windows and doors, and sealing exterior components where lead may be present.
Homeowners and landlords can receive up to $20,000 in lead hazard remediation work at no cost, with an additional $5,000 potentially available for broader “healthy homes” improvements such as pest control, installing ventilation fans, replacing carpeting, or making minor structural repairs.
Eligible homes must have been built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned nationwide, and must house or regularly host a child under age 6 or a pregnant resident. Households must also meet income eligibility requirements.
County officials estimate the funding could help remediate approximately 50 housing units across Montgomery County.
Why Lansdale could benefit
For Lansdale, the program may address a particularly pressing public health concern.
Data presented to Lansdale Borough Council last year showed that 94% of the borough’s housing stock was built before 1978, making it highly likely many homes still contain lead-based paint. Health advocates also noted that an average of 41 Lansdale children tested positive for elevated lead levels between 2018 and 2022, according to county health department data.
Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning because their bodies and brains are still developing. Even low levels of exposure can cause learning disabilities, behavioral issues, reduced IQ, and other lifelong health effects.
Advocates previously told borough officials that lead hazards are often hidden, typically occurring when older paint chips or deteriorates, creating dust that young children can ingest through normal hand-to-mouth behavior.
Local policy discussions already underway
The county remediation effort comes as Lansdale officials have been urged by health advocates and residents to consider adopting a local lead-safe housing ordinance similar to those enacted in municipalities such as Norristown.
Such ordinances typically require pre-1978 rental properties to be inspected and certified as lead-safe or lead-free before receiving rental licenses, helping prevent exposure before children become sick.
Supporters have argued that combining local policies with county and federal remediation programs could significantly reduce exposure in communities with older housing.
For Lansdale homeowners and landlords with qualifying properties, the county program offers an immediate opportunity to identify hazards and complete repairs without significant out-of-pocket costs.
Information about the Montgomery County Lead and Healthy Homes Program and eligibility requirements is available through the Montgomery County Office of Public Health
