The Primary Prevention Program, a joint initiative between the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, uses funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer grants to building owners for lead treatment. This initiative addresses a serious environmental threat to young children that results from deteriorated lead-based paint in apartments. The program, part of a broad City strategy to lower the hazards from lead-based paint, provides grants to owners of single and multi-unit apartment houses built before 1960, the year New York City banned the use of lead-based paint. In addition to federal funds, the Primary Prevention Program is also supported by city capital money to address lead-based paint hazards citywide.

The Program gives owners the means to make their buildings lead-safe through low-level interim treatment work. Treatment concentrates on friction surfaces - door jams, window sills and wells, and cabinets - because friction creates lead dust. The common areas and fire escapes are also treated. Buildings owners apply for forgivable loans valued at $9,000 to $10,000 per apartment, the average cost of lead treatment work. Some units may receive up to $10,000 to $11,000 in conjunction with other moderate rehabilitation work. Owners, in turn, hire contractors who are trained in EPA certified courses in lead treatment. HPD inspects the work. The loan amount is secured by a mortgage on the property which evaporates after three years, provided the owner is in full compliance with the terms of the loan.

The buildings involved in the initiative meet the following criteria:

• Buildings built prior to 1960 include one and two family as well as multi-family sites;
• Over 80% of the tenants must be at low-income thresholds (the owner must continue to rent to low-income tenants for three years in order for the lien to be forgiven);
• Due to the preventive nature of the grant program, buildings with many families with children under six years of age, including pregnant mothers and families who provide day care services to children under six years of age for at least six hours a week, are ideal for participation in the grant program;
• Under federal funds the targeted areas are West Queens and Jamaica, Queens, Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, East New York, East Flatbush-Flatbush and Bushwick in Brooklyn; and Central/West Bronx. City funds will support buildings Citywide. The owner(s) must be current on all City taxes at the time of identification.

Building owners who would like more information about the Primary Prevention Program may call:

Thomas O'Hagan : (212) 863-6389