In Case of Emergency

If a child has severe symptoms of lead poisoning, such as vomiting or seizures, get immediate help by calling 911.  If a child is suspected of being exposed to lead, make an appointment with the child's health care provider or county health department to have a blood test done.

For Landlords

The Get the Lead Out! program helps landlords protect their investments. Making your rental property lead-safe through this program will not only include free repairs to your units, but also reduces your exposure to potential lawsuits for lead poisoning.  

 


 

Have rental property in the City of Grand Rapids?

Many of the homes in Grand Rapids contain lead hazards that must be addressed. The Get the Lead Out! program provides a free lead inspection/risk assessment of your property and offers zero-interest, deferred loans with low co-pays for the repairs needed to ensure lead-free units that are up to code.

If you meet all the requirements listed below, you may qualify for the Get the Lead Out! program. 

 

Here's how landlords qualify:

Location: The home to be repaired must be located in the city of Grand Rapids.

Age of Home: The house must have been built before 1978 and have lead-based paint hazards.

Income: The income for all persons residing in the home must be below 80% of area median income. See income limits below (effective 4/11/18).

Household Size Maximum Income
1 $42,950
2 $49,050
3 $55,200
4 $61,300
5 $66,250
6 $71,150
7 $76,050
8 $80,950

Children: There must be a resident child 0-5 years of age who lives in the home. Children in regular daycare and pregnant women are included. Family-friendly vacant units may be eligible under sertain circumstances. Call for more details.

 

Here's what landlords can expect:

  • Up to $20,000 in repairs for one - four unit properties

Get the Lead Out!, through the City of Grand Rapids Lead Hazard Control Program, provides up to $20,000 for any property, up to four units. You are responsible for a 10 to 15 percent co-pay with a minimum co-pay of $300. For a period of up to five years you must comply with program marketing, rent restrictions, and tenant selection requirements. However, these requirements can usually be met within 36 months. 

“Family-friendly" vacant units may also qualify. Family-friendly units are:

  • One or more bedrooms,
  • Located within easily walkable access to child-friendly outdoor green/playspace, and
  • Not located above a late-night entertainment establishments (noise after 8 PM).

Your rental units may also be eligible for additional free repairs for health and safety items based on a full-home assessment. Call for more information. 

 

How to Apply

Kathy Bartnick at the Rental Property Owners Association can assist landlords with the application process and provide training for lead safe work practices. Email Kathy at rpoaoutreach@rpoaonline.org or call her at (616) 454-3385.

When you contact Kathy, she will need you to complete this intake form. If you would like to get started on your application package, you can download an application for rental property owners here, as well as the paperwork needed to qualify your tenants.

Did You Know...

Lead-based paint and lead dust in the home is the cause of nine out of ten the cases of lead poisoning in children in Kent County, Michigan.

Resources

Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home(1.5 MB)

Landlords and tenants must receive the booklet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."  This is the same booklet required for disclosure when renting pre-1978 rental units.  For more information on disclosure, click here.

News & Events

Lead Poisoning Rate Rises for Second Year in a Row in Kent County

After a decade of decline, the number of lead-poisoned children in Kent County has risen for the second year in a row. Recent data released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) shows a 40 percent increase in lead-poisoned children in the 49507 zip code during the past two years.

According to the data, 617 Kent County children had elevated blood-lead levels in 2016 – the most recent year for which data is available.


Parents Meet to Discuss Rising Lead Poisoning Rates in 49507

Why lead poisoning is on the rise in Kent County, and particularly in Grand Rapids – and what can be done about it – was the subject of discussion and debate at the Oct. 30 event held at Dickinson Academy on Grand Rapids’ southeast side.

When Grand Rapids resident LyRee Adams’ young daughter tested positive for lead a decade ago, she later learned the poisoning likely occurred from lead-based paint flaking from windows in the home she was renting. She immediately got appropriate medical care for her daughter before the child was permanently harmed – and Adams also went directly to her landlord and worked with him to get the lead hazard out of the home.


Kent County Lead Poisoning Task Force Work Continues

The 16-member Kent County Lead Poisoning task force continues to meet to investigate ways in which the County can work towards elimination of lead poisoning