Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program | FR 6800 N 31

Opportunity Information: Apply for FR 6800 N 31

The Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) discretionary funding opportunity designed to help governments build or rebuild the practical, on-the-ground capacity needed to run effective lead hazard control programs. The focus is not simply on paying for individual lead abatement projects, but on strengthening the systems, staffing, partnerships, and procedures a jurisdiction needs to consistently identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned housing, including both rental properties and owner-occupied homes. HUD created this capacity-building track recognizing that some places either have never received a direct HUD lead hazard control grant or previously had one but saw their ability to operate a full program decline due to circumstances like COVID-related disruptions, turnover of experienced staff, or other setbacks that weakened local infrastructure.

Eligible applicants include states (all 50 states plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico), federally recognized Native American Tribes that have an EPA-authorized lead abatement certification program, and local governments such as cities, counties/parishes, and other units of local government. The program is specifically aimed at jurisdictions that have not received a direct HUD lead hazard control grant or that can show a clear need to rebuild capacity after having been a grantee in the past. A key restriction is that current HUD lead hazard control grantees that still have an active period of performance are not eligible to apply. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorships are also not eligible.

The grant supports building a complete local framework for lead hazard reduction, with several core capacity objectives. A major emphasis is improving the ability to determine the prevalence of childhood lead poisoning among children under six in targeted communities, which helps justify interventions and improves targeting. It also prioritizes building the local ability to address lead hazards safely during hazard control work and during common housing activities like renovation, remodeling, and maintenance, particularly by integrating lead-safe work practices so that routine repairs do not accidentally worsen exposure risks. HUD also expects applicants to develop and implement clear program procedures and guidelines, including how households and properties enter the program (intake), and how completed lead-safe units will be affirmatively marketed to families with young children. That marketing component is meant to ensure that units made safer through hazard control are actually connected to the families most at risk.

Another central requirement is organizational readiness: the program expects jurisdictions to hire qualified staff with strong management and financial capacity so that work can begin quickly once an award is made. HUD also stresses cross-sector coordination, encouraging collaboration, data sharing, and joint targeting strategies between health and housing departments, since public health data and housing conditions need to be connected for effective prevention. Applicants are also encouraged to establish and formalize key partnerships and subgrantee relationships, which may include faith-based organizations, health departments, coalitions, and other community-based organizations that can improve outreach, referrals, and program reach.

The program further emphasizes integrating lead hazard control into existing local housing repair and improvement systems, rather than running it as an isolated effort. Examples named in the opportunity include housing rehabilitation programs, local housing ordinances and property maintenance enforcement, weatherization initiatives, housing-related health hazard interventions, and energy conservation activities. Alongside integration, HUD places value on obtaining high-quality data to target resources where need is greatest, which typically means combining information on older housing stock, socioeconomic risk factors, and health indicators like elevated blood lead levels. Finally, applicants are expected to build systems that will allow lead hazard control activities to continue after the capacity-building grant ends, so the investment results in a sustainable program rather than a short-term restart.

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement under the housing activity category (CFDA 14.912). The funding opportunity number is FR 6800 N 31. HUD anticipated making about 22 awards, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $2,500,000. The original application closing date listed for this round was September 4, 2024, and the notice was created on July 19, 2024.

One administrative detail highlighted in the announcement is about governmental authority and reporting structure. If the applying department or agency does not report directly, or through a direct chain of command, to the jurisdiction’s chief executive (such as a governor, county executive, or mayor), the application must cite the statute(s) that establish the agency as part of the government. Applicants must either attach the relevant statutory language or provide a freely accessible web address showing the authority. This is meant to confirm the applicant’s legal standing and governmental role when the organizational structure is less straightforward.

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development in the housing sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 14.912.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 22 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others.

Apply for FR 6800 N 31

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: