Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program

The Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, is a federally funded initiative aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of eligible jurisdictions to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in housing. This grant opportunity, formalized under NOFO number FR-6900-N-31, responds to the continued public health concern posed by lead exposure, particularly in children under six years of age. The program is authorized by the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 and supported by recent appropriations through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025. This program targets states, federally recognized Native American tribes with U.S. EPA–authorized lead abatement certification programs, and units of local government that have not previously received a HUD direct lead hazard control grant or need to rebuild capacity due to extenuating circumstances. Applicants must demonstrate a need to either establish or restore a jurisdiction-wide program capable of conducting lead hazard assessments and interventions. Current direct grantees with active award periods are ineligible. Funding supports a wide array of capacity-building activities such as staff hiring and training, community outreach, data system enhancement, interagency coordination, contractor development, and integration of lead safety into existing housing programs. Grantees must use at least 65% of the award for direct lead hazard control-related activities, while administrative costs are capped at 10%. Examples of direct activities include marketing, awareness campaigns, establishing intake systems, training contractors, and conducting lead inspections and hazard control in privately owned rental or owner-occupied housing. A required 10% matching contribution must be documented at the time of application, with funds sourced from allowable non-federal entities such as CDBG allocations or documented in-kind contributions. The application package requires submission through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on March 5, 2026. Required components include standard federal forms (SF-424, HUD-424CBW, HUD-424B), a detailed budget narrative, responses to rating factors, and relevant attachments such as resumes of key staff, commitment letters for match funding, and the local jurisdiction’s consolidated plan or lead hazard component. Applications must adhere to formatting guidelines and narrative length limits (15 pages max). Submissions not meeting these requirements may be deemed incomplete and ineligible. Evaluation criteria include organizational capacity, demonstrated need, soundness of proposed approach, and financial management practices. Applications are rated on a 100-point scale, with a minimum of 70 points required for funding consideration. Up to five awards are expected, with individual awards ranging from $1 million to $2.5 million for a 36-month project period. Award notifications are anticipated by April 8, 2026, and the performance period will run from approximately June 8, 2026, to June 7, 2029. The program encourages integration with local housing rehabilitation efforts and mandates compliance with HUD lead hazard control guidelines, the Lead Safe Housing Rule, and environmental review protocols. Recipients are expected to establish occupant protection plans, conduct lead inspections/risk assessments without presumption, and ensure units remain available to low-income families with young children for at least three years. For further information or questions, applicants may contact Victoria J. Ojewumi at [email protected] or 202-402-3167. Full NOFO details are provided at the Grants.gov listing for FR-6900-N-31.

Match commitments must be documented with firm letters; review HUD Policy Guidance 2015-01 and 2024-05 for budget and lead safety compliance.