Oakland County Awarded $1 Million in Lead Abatement Grants for Residents

Pontiac, Mich., - The Oakland County Health & Human Services Department (HHS) has been awarded two grants totaling $1 million to remove lead from local households. Residents are encouraged to contact the Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533 if they are concerned about elevated blood lead levels in themselves or household members.

Oakland County Neighborhood & Housing Development and Health divisions are collaborating on the lead abatement.

"These grants will allow us to protect vulnerable individuals like children and communities disproportionately impacted by lead in their homes," said Khadija Walker-Fobbs, Oakland County Neighborhood & Housing Development officer. "The risk for a source of lead in your home increases if you have an older home."

The following grants will provide lead abatement services for Oakland County residents:

• Medicaid CHIP Lead Hazard Control Community Development Grant
  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services awarded OCHD a $500,000 grant to provide residential lead hazard control services to Medicaid CHIP enrolled residents under 19 years of age or pregnant people.
  • Up to 10 homes of eligible families will be identified for services through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) child lead testing initiative, outreach locations, and lead home inspections through Sept. 30, 2026.

• Environmental Justice Impact Grant
  • The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate awarded Oakland County $500,000 to create lead free homes in Oakland County.
  • It will fund lead abatement efforts and provide grants or loans for home repairs through NHD's Home Improvement Program.
  • Each household served with lead abatement will also receive radon testing and abatement, if needed.Lead is a naturally occurring element that can be toxic to humans and animals. It's found in our air, soil, water and our homes.

Lead can be found around your home in:

• Lead-based paint - often found in homes and furniture painted prior to 1978
• Drinking water exposed to lead from the environment or from lead pipes, lead solder in pipes, and/or faucets containing lead
• Dust from some imported vinyl mini blinds and painted friction surfaces painted prior to 1978
• Imported and lead painted children's toys
• Imported foods in lead soldered cans
• Some imported folk medicines, spices, food additives, or cosmetics
• Clothing worn during activities that create lead dust/particles, including working in smelting and battery plants, doing automotive repairs, making stained glass, and furniture refinishing

Removing lead-based paint must be done safely to protect you and your family from health hazards. Call the Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533 to learn about abatement options.

Michigan law now requires universal blood lead screening for children at ages 1 and 2. Children under 6 years old and pregnant individuals are especially vulnerable to the effects from lead exposure. Talk to your health care provider about lead testing. Children 1 and 2 years old can get tested for lead at our Health Centers and Walled Lake WIC location. Pregnant women can receive a lead risk assessment. Walk-ins only.

• North Oakland Health Center: WIC Clinic
  • 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Bldg. 34E, Pontiac
  • Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• South Oakland Health Center: WIC Clinic
  • 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield
  • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (except last Friday of the month), 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Walled Lake WIC Clinic
  • 1010 East West Maple Road, Walled Lake
  • Last Friday of the month, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For more information about lead, visit oakgov.com/health or call Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848- 5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook, X and Instagram.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County public information officer, at 248-202-9668.