Oakland County accepts two $500,000 grants to finance home lead abatement

Oakland County health department staff asked commissioners to accept two lead‑abatement grants: a $500,000 award from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that runs to Sept. 30, 2026 and targets abatement in up to 10 homes in the grant period, and a $500,000 Environmental Justice Impact Program award from the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) that runs to Sept. 30, 2027 and targets about eight to ten homes annually.

Khadijah, speaking for the health division, said most grant funds will pay for contractor abatement work; only minimal dollars are budgeted for staffing (roughly $32,000 for the MDHHS grant and about $38,000 for the EGLE grant). She told commissioners the program will combine neighborhood‑housing and health teams to identify children with elevated blood lead levels and perform abatement to create safer home environments.

Board questions: Commissioner Spitz asked about the cost per home and whether abatement is more cost‑effective than relocation. Staff said abatement costs can vary and that abatement sometimes runs close to $20,000 per home, with the program allowing up to approximately $40,000–$50,000 per home where needed; staff committed to tracking home values and cost outcomes.

Vote and implementation: The board approved the grant acceptances and staff said the majority of funds will be paid to contractors to perform abatement work; staff also said there are no new positions associated with the grants and that existing staff would support coordination.