Morristown Residents Invited to Participate in the Statewide Lead Inspection Initiative

MORRISTOWN, NJ – In an effort to eliminate lead exposure in residential units, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has launched the Lead Grant Assistance Program. The program, backed by a funding pool of $7 million, offers support to municipalities for conducting inspections of lead-based paint hazards in tenant-occupied housing built prior to 1978.

The Lead Grant Assistance Program, under law P.L. 2021, c. 182, requires municipal building inspectors to conduct lead-based paint hazard inspections in single-family, two-family, and multiple-dwelling rental units. For municipalities lacking a permanent local agency for inspections and law enforcement, the DCA allows the hiring of a lead evaluation contractor or collaboration through shared service agreements with other municipalities.

“This program is designed to help ensure that all New Jersey residents, including those in Morristown, live in homes safe from lead-based paint, which can cause significant health issues, particularly in young children," said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who also serves as DCA Commissioner. "We recognize that this kind of inspection work comes at a cost, which is why we've allocated $7 million in funding to assist local governments."

The Lead Grant Assistance Program complements the Murphy Administration’s broader initiative to address lead poisoning, which includes a $180 million investment in the State Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Earlier this year, DCA granted $38 million to 20 organizations to aid property owners in making lead-safe repairs when lead-based paint hazards are identified during housing inspections.

The DCA, in partnership with the New Jersey Departments of Health (DOH) and Environmental Protection (DEP), has also strengthened the State’s Potential Lead Exposure Mapping (PLEM) tool, providing publicly available data to indicate potential sources of lead exposure.

Eligible municipalities can apply for the Lead Grant Assistance funding based on their number of renter-occupied single-family and two-family housing units constructed before 1980. The DCA has pre-calculated the award amounts for each eligible municipality. The grant award estimates can be found at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lgapfunding.shtml on the DCA website.

Grant funding can be used to hire and train personnel, pay for lead evaluation contractors or shared service agreements, cover personnel costs related to lead-based paint hazard inspections, purchase necessary materials and supplies, and pay for outreach/educational materials and mailings to property owners.

To secure the grant funding, eligible municipalities must submit a resolution from their governing body acknowledging participation in the Lead Grant Assistance Program, along with a signed grant agreement by an authorized official. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on July 7, 2023.

This initiative provides Morristown residents with an opportunity to ensure a healthier environment for their families and neighbors. As the fight against lead exposure intensifies, the Murphy Administration’s Lead Grant Assistance Program is poised to make a significant impact in communities across the state, including Morristown.