The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced the allocation of $6.77 million to assist communities in the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program in addressing lead-based paint hazards in residential housing. This initiative is part of several lead-safe programs administered by DCA aimed at preventing lead poisoning by reducing exposure to lead paint in homes.
"The Murphy Administration is committed to reducing the threat of lead poisoning in the state’s older housing stock where lead-based paint is frequently found," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "No child or adult should have to live with the detrimental and lasting health effects of lead poisoning. Through the NRTC Lead-Based Paint Hazard program, DCA is partnering with communities around the state to provide New Jersey residents with the information and assistance they need to remediate or abate their homes and live lead free."
"DCA looks forward to working with the community organizations awarded funding," said DCA Assistant Commissioner Janel Winter, who leads the Division of Housing and Community Resources. "We believe that this collaboration can help significantly reduce lead poisoning in our neighborhoods and improve people’s health and well-being."
Lead-based paint was widely used in buildings constructed before 1978, which is when it was banned from household paints in the U.S. Exposure to lead paint poses a significant health risk, particularly for children under six years old who may come into contact with or inhale lead dust. Such exposure can result in brain damage, slowed growth and development, as well as issues affecting learning, behavior, hearing, and speech.
Recognizing this ongoing threat, the Murphy Administration has set a goal of identifying and addressing lead hazards on a large scale, as outlined in the 2021 lead paint hazard inspection law (P.L.2021, c.182). The administration aims to ensure that funds are available for families to address identified hazards during inspections mandated by this law.
The NRTC Lead-Based Paint Hazard program targets households earning at or below 80 percent of area median income living in single-family to four-family housing units built before 1978. The funding will support community organizations participating in DCA’s NRTC program that have an approved neighborhood plan. These organizations were selected following a request for proposals.
The funding originates from American Rescue Plan dollars allocated to New Jersey and will be used for:
- Lead abatement: Complete removal of lead paint through replacement or repair.
- Lead remediation: Reducing exposure risks without necessarily removing all lead paint through methods such as paint stabilization and correcting dust-generating conditions.
In addition to this program, DCA administers other initiatives like the New Jersey Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP), the Lead-Safe Home Remediation Program, and the Single-Family Home Remediation Program. More information about these programs can be found at [leadabatement.nj.gov](https://leadabatement.nj.gov) and [nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/leadsafe.shtml](https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/leadsafe.shtml).
The Division of Housing and Community Resources focuses on strengthening neighborhoods through affordable housing delivery and supportive services while providing financial and technical assistance for community development projects aimed at improving residents' quality of life.
DCA offers various programs including local government management, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.
