Home > Departments > Housing and Economic Development > Housing

• Business
  • Incentives
  • Real Property
  • M/WBE
  • Business Assistance Center
• Housing
  • Housing Counseling
  • Neighborhood Stabilization — Down Payment Assistance Program
  • Cowtown Brush Up
  • Emergency Repair
  • Lead Testing (ALERT)
  • Weatherization
  • Community Housing Development
• Department Contacts

ALERT Program

What are the possible effects of lead poisoning?

For Children:

• Damage to brain and nervous system.
• Loss of intelligence
• Learning disability
• Slowed growth
• Coma, convulsions, and even death

For Adults:

• High blood pressure
• Kidney problems
• Problems conceiving and having children

What is the goal of the ALERT Program?

The goal of ALERT is to provide housing that does not harm current or future residents.  The prevention of lead poisoning is the best approach, but because of limited funding, priority is given to families with children ages 6 or below, particularly children who have been confirmed to have elevated blood lead levels (EBLL).  The following are the services that ALERT can provide to qualified homes:

• Blood testing for children below the age of 6 
• Lead based paint inspections, risk assessments
• Interim controls, such as covering up of deteriorated walls
• Abatement, for example, the removal or replacement of a deteriorated wall or windows or doors
• Paint stabilization, repair and repainting of deteriorated surfaces
• Low level intervention, such as cleaning and removing lead dust or particles
• Clearance testing, visual or analysis of dust wipes samples.

Who is eligible to apply for the ALERT Program?

The following are eligible for lead based paint risk assessment and lead hazard control activities:

• Owner occupied homes built before 1978 with children under the age of six confirmed with Elevated Blood Lead Levels.
• Rental units in target areas occupied by families with children under the age of six with confirmed Elevated Blood Lead Levels (Landlord must agree to participate.  ALERT will bear 50% of the cost of lead hazard control activities and the landowner will be provided a low-interest loan for the remaining 50%, if needed).
• Owner occupied homes with confirmed lead hazards where children under the age of six do not have Elevated Blood Lead Levels.
• Owner occupied homes built before 1978 located in target areas where lead hazards are detected by testing, even if no children under the age of six live in these homes.
• Homeowner/renter must meet income guidelines (80% of the area median family income). 

Contact

Contact the ALERT Program at 817.392.7374 or e-mail us for more information regarding the program.