CANTON – Lead poisoning is a serious problem in St. Lawrence County. The majority of our housing supply was built before a ban on lead-based paint and as a result, many homes within our county may contain lead hazards. Childhood lead exposure can cause a wide range of irreversible health problems including brain damage, slowed growth, development, learning and behavioral problems. However, through proper renovation or mitigation methods lead exposures can be minimized or eliminated.

Funding for such construction projects is available from the Housing and Urban Development Lead Hazard Control Grant, which was renewed for an additional year in St. Lawrence County. This grant is implemented through a collaboration between St. Lawrence County Public Health, St. Lawrence County Planning Office, and the North Country Housing Council.

The HUD grant allows eligible families to receive funds for free renovations to reduce lead hazards in their home until October 2023. To be eligible, a household must meet the following requirements:

Home or rental is located in St. Lawrence County

Home or rental was built before 1978

A child under 6 or a pregnant individual lives or visits the home often

Income guidelines are met

As you may or may not be aware, this grant was awarded to the county largely because we had the unfortunate distinction of having an increased incidence of elevated lead levels in children between 2003-2012.

For further information or to fill out an application, please contact the North Country Housing Council at 315-386-8576.