Lead Safe Program
As of January 2008, Pathways has assisted in improving the health and living conditions of young children in the City of Petersburg by reducing the lead-based paint hazards in 62 homes throughout the city.
In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the overall goal is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning by the year 2010.
Children being exposed to lead-based paint have been on the increase due to the resurgence of renovating and remodeling older homes. This environmental disease does not only affect children in low-income families but also families in higher income levels who have decided to do renovations to their pre-1978 property without recognizing the potential health hazards created by lead dust. Properties listed on historic registers have high re-sale value but may be the culprit for lead poisoning if lead safe work practices are not utilized during renovation or abatement.
Children who have confirmed elevated blood lead levels (EBLL) from exposure to lead dust in residential properties require medical and housing intervention. Pathways addresses the housing element by temporarily relocating an eligible family while the housing remediation process called interim controls is used to reduce the lead hazards.
Although the entire home will be inspected for lead-based paint, special attention will be given to the areas where paint has deteriorated, such as the windows, door frames, floors, stairways, drawers, cabinets, and other friction, impact, and chewable surfaces on the interior. The exterior areas are front and rear porches, and bare residential soil (outdoor play areas).
Eligibility Criteria
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Pre-1978 house (owner occupied, rental, single family, and multi-family properties up to four units)
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Occupants must have at least one child under six years of age residing at the property
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Occupant(s) must meet income limit
Priority will be given to a property suspected as being a multiple offender property, which is defined as a pre-1978 house that may have poisoned more than one child.
For more information, contact:
David Hamler
Lead Safe Homes Program Manager
Pathways
(804) 862-1104 ext. 331
dhamler@pathways-va.org
