RIHousing’s LeadSafe Homes Program provides financial assistance to help property owners reduce lead and other environmental hazards in their homes and investment properties. Funding supports inspections, remediation, and essential repairs that improve safety for families, tenants, and the broader community.
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The LeadSafe Homes Program provides forgivable loans to cover the costs associated with addressing lead paint problems and other unsafe conditions.
Lead paint is typically found in paint dust from old doors or windows opening and closing; peeling and chipped paint, from both inside and outside of the house; and soil that has paint dust or chips in it.
RIHousing’s LeadSafe Homes Program provides remediation of lead-paint based hazards, such as:
There are also resources to provide other healthy homes improvements, including, but not limited to, air quality improvements such as dryer vents and bathroom fans, minor electrical upgrades, and installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems, yet it is entirely preventable. Lead paint can harm children by:
This damage is irreversible.
Lead paint is also dangerous for pregnant women. Too much lead in a mother’s body can cause the baby:
It can also put the mother at risk for miscarriage.
For more information on the dangers of lead poisoning for children and pregnant women, please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program page.
RIHousing’s LeadSafe Homes Program provides remediation of lead-paint based hazards, such as new windows and doors, interior and exterior painting and soil remediation. There are also resources to provide other healthy homes improvements, including, but not limited to, air quality improvements such as dryer vents and bathroom fans, minor electrical upgrades, and installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
In most instances, all assistance is free. Properties are inspected for lead paint and healthy home hazards, and if hazards are present then remediation efforts are utilized. The LeadSafe Homes Program team works closely with property owners (and tenants, if present) throughout the whole process.
Both single-family and multifamily properties are eligible to participate. You do not need to live on the property to qualify. With multifamily homes, RIHousing works with the property owner to engage the tenants.
The main eligibility criteria is the home having been built prior to 1978, the year lead was banned from paint. A LeadSafe Homes Program team member can work with you to discuss additional eligibility criteria.
If your home was built before 1978, the year lead in paint was banned, then there’s a good chance lead paint is present. Over 70% of homes in Rhode Island were built before 1978 and likely contain lead paint. If your home was built after 1978 there is likely no lead paint present. The most common sources of lead-paint based hazards are lead-contaminated dust, peeling and chipped lead paint and contaminated soil. A certified lead inspector can tell you if there are lead-paint based hazards in your home; an inspection is conducted as part of the LeadSafe Homes Program. Property owners can also schedule their own lead inspections.
A list of inspectors from State of Rhode Island Department of Health can be found here.
In most circumstances, assistance will be free.
There are no out-of-pocket expenses or monthly payments. Typically, the program is in the form of a forgivable loan. A forgivable loan is one you do not have to pay back as long as you meet certain conditions. If the property owner sells, transfers or refinances the property during the period of the loan, then they may need to repay.
Both landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities when it comes to lead paint. Click here to learn more.
The LeadSafe Homes Program is currently prioritizing applications for properties that have a Department of Health referred properties/properties where a child with an elevated blood lead level resides or visits.
The Cities of Providence, Pawtucket and Woonsocket also run residential lead-paint remediation programs for households that earn under a certain income level and have children who are 6 or younger that live at the property. Please contact these programs directly to determine your eligibility.
Lead Remediation Program Contacts:
Providence: Paula Baron | 401-680-8427 | pbaron@providenceri.gov
Pawtucket: Coming Soon | 401-728-0500 x357
Woonsocket: Ryan Leech | 401-767-9233 | rleech@woonsocketri.org
If you own a multifamily property, both you and the tenants must submit an application
A certified lead inspector inspects the property for lead hazards.
They identify the lead hazards and create an outline for the work that needs to be done
A RIHousing approved contractor is hired to conduct the work.
RIHousing works closely with the property owner and contractor to make sure the work is done right and in a timely fashion.
All residents of the property must temporarily leave while the work is happening.
How long this will take depends on how much work is needed, but on average it’s 1-2 weeks
Residents can stay with family or friends, or RIHousing will pay for temporary accommodations for the full relocation timeframe
Once the work is complete, a final inspection is conducted to ensure the property is now lead safe.
If so, the property receives a leadsafe certificate, something most homes in RI are required by law to have.
If tenants are hesitant to fill out an application and participate, RIHousing will work with the property owner to educate the tenant(s) on the benefits of the program. RIHousing is also available to speak directly with tenants and discuss their questions and concerns. Ultimately, the property owner has the right to ensure their home is safe of lead hazards.
Yes. All property owners are required to provide healthy and safe homes that are free of lead hazards.
A social security number is not required to apply.
If an applicant and all adult household members have a valid ID, they can apply. A valid ID can include a driver’s license, voter registration, or a consulate ID. Guests to the household do not need to be included on the application. The LeadSafe Homes Program does not share any information with law enforcement or Homeland Security offices.
Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract.
Only residents of census tract 405 are eligible for the FirstGenHomeRI pilot program.
The map on the left shows the approximated eligible region.
Unsure if your address is part of the eligible region?
Type in your address below to find out (Include street #, street name, Newport, RI).
Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract for application prioritization.
Applications from residents who live in the census tract listed below are prioritized.
| Central Falls | 44007010900, 44007010800, 44007011100, 44007011000 |
| Pawtucket | 44007016000, 44007015300, 44007015100, 44007015200, 44007015500, 44007016600, 44007016700, 44007017000, 44007017100, 44007016100, 44007016400 |
| Newport | 44005040500, 44005041100 |
| East Providence | 44007010100, 44007010501 |
Type in your address below to learn if you are in the targeted area. (Include street #, street name, city, RI).