What to expect throughout the process

Free in-home screening

We check your home for health and safety hazards. We also tell you how to prevent home health hazards. If appropriate, you will also get free safety supplies.

Receiving a grant

You complete a grant application. We’ll verify your income and other grant requirements.

Full home inspection

We do a second inspection to identify all the home’s lead hazards.

Inspection results

We meet with you at your home. We discuss the results, the work needed and what the grant can cover.

Lead-safe class

You take a three-hour class. You learn how to paint and do small projects in a lead-safe manner.

Work done by you

You may need to do work the grant doesn’t cover, like paint window trim or home exterior.

Work paid by the grant

A contractor will estimate the cost of all needed repairs. We’ll cover repairs up to $12,000. If the cost goes above that, you may need to cover the rest.

Repair work

The contractor will schedule the work. No one can live at the home during repairs. The grant covers lodging expenses up to $175 per day or $875 per week.

Landlords

You must cover 25% of the cost of repairs. Financing is available.

Before your visit

Staff will confirm the appointment with you and will:

• Obtain your verbal consent to proceed with the appointment
• Verify that everyone in the household is fever free and has not been in contact with anyone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days
• Inform you of safety precautions that will take place during our visit

At your residence

• Hand sanitizer will be used before and after entry to every property.
• Staff will practice physical distancing by maintaining six feet between all individuals, and conducting any face to face discussions outside of the dwelling. Masks will be offered to residents for any face to face discussions.
• Inside your home, staff will wear PPE including face masks, eye protection, and nitrile gloves.
• Staff will take pictures and/or video of potential repairs in your home to eliminate the need for the contractor to visit the site for bidding.

Additional staff safety practices

• Staff will self-quarantine and not come to work for 14 days if they or a family member has had a fever or according to current timeframes established by CDC guidelines or County policy.
• Staff will self-screen their temperature while at the office and before leaving for a site visit where interaction with clients or contractors is likely.

In addition to peeling paint in homes built before 1978, common household products may also cause lead exposure.

Potential sources of lead contamination

Common household items

• Imported spices, including turmeric and chili powder
• Cosmetics such as sindoor and kumkum
• Imported candy containing chili powder and tamarind
• Traditional cookware/pottery that is glazed with lead paint
• Imported aluminum cookware

Traditional medicines

• Ba-baw-san, a Chinese herbal remedy
• Daw Tway, a digestive aid used in Thailand
• Greta and Azarcon, Hispanic traditional medicine used for upset stomach
• Ghasard, an Indian folk medicine

If you’re concerned that you or a family member is using a product that may contain lead, Hennepin County may be able to help. At no cost to you, Hennepin County can test products and determine if it contains lead. Testing does not damage your products, and they will be returned to you in the same condition as they were received.

For more information on how to get your products tested email healthyhomes@hennepin.us or call 612-543-4182.

In 2018, more than 200 children tested for lead in Hennepin County had blood lead levels high enough to damage their health.

In young children lead exposure can cause:

• Brain and nervous system damage
• Slowed growth and development
• Learning and behavior problems
• Hearing and speech problems

The government banned lead paint in 1978. Homes built before then likely have lead paint.

Lead poisoning prevention

Minnesota Department of Health lead paint hazard information

Asthma triggers

If you have a child with asthma, you may be eligible for a home visit to identify possible health and safety hazards. You may also get free supplies to help reduce asthma triggers like dust mites, pests, and mold. For more information contact Melisa Illies at melisa.illies@hennepin.us or 612-348-2020.

Home repair program

If you live in suburban Hennepin County, you may be eligible for our home repair program. You can get help repairing health and safety hazards like radon and mold.

Go to the home repair program page.