Guide
Lead Paint Removal Grants and Financial Help in Syracuse and Onondaga County
Published by Onondaga Lead Services Updated July 11, 2026
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Lead rules depend on your specific property and situation. Confirm details with the linked government sources, and rely on a licensed contractor or attorney for advice about your case.
Yes. Several public and nonprofit programs can pay for part or all of lead inspection and lead paint removal in Syracuse and Onondaga County, for income-eligible homeowners and for landlords. The same programs often cover the work behind the new state Lead-Safe Certificate. This guide lists the main programs, who tends to qualify, and how to start. It is general information, not a promise of funding; each program sets its own rules and decides eligibility.
The main lead grant programs
These are the programs most Syracuse-area property owners use. Amounts and income limits change, so treat the figures below as a starting point and confirm the current terms directly with each program.
| Program | Who it is for | What it can cover |
|---|---|---|
| Home HeadQuarters rental lead grant | Landlords with a tenant at or under 80% of area median income (an enhanced tier reaches lower incomes) | Up to $50,000 per unit, or up to $75,000 per unit under the enhanced tier, for lead-safe work on rental units |
| City of Syracuse Lead Grant Program | City owners, landlords, and tenants | Lead-safe repairs such as windows, doors, siding, and porch work |
| Onondaga County lead hazard reduction program | Owner-occupants and landlords with an income-eligible household (at or under 80% AMI) and a child under six | Inspection and correction of identified lead hazards; the amount depends on what is found |
| LeadSafeCNY | Central New York families, funded through local partners | Local lead work funded by the Central New York Community Foundation, much of it through Home HeadQuarters |
Program pages, where you confirm current amounts, income limits, and how to apply:
- Home HeadQuarters Rental Lead Grant Program
- City of Syracuse Lead Grant Program
- Onondaga County lead hazard financial assistance
- LeadSafeCNY (Central New York Community Foundation)
Who typically qualifies
Eligibility rules differ by program, but a few patterns are common:
- An income limit, often at or under 80% of area median income, and a lower threshold (about 60%) for the enhanced rental tier.
- For several programs, a child under six who lives in or regularly visits the home.
- The property being in an eligible part of the city or county.
- Both owner-occupants and landlords can qualify, depending on the program.
Because these rules change and each program applies its own, the only reliable way to know is to check the program page above or contact the program directly. This page is a starting point, not a determination of your eligibility.
How grants connect to the 2026 rental registry deadline
Landlords in covered Syracuse areas must have their property inspected and obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate under the New York Lead Rental Registry, with the first certificates due by October 1, 2026. The inspection and any lead-safe repairs behind that certificate are frequently the exact work these grants pay for, so a requirement can become a funded project. If you are a landlord, read our guide to NY lead paint laws for landlords and our rental property lead compliance page for the deadlines and what the inspection involves.
Why the money keeps coming
Lead funding in Central New York is not a one-time event. Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse have received millions of dollars in federal HUD lead grants over the years, and LeadSafeCNY has invested more than $2.6 million in local lead work since 2018. Because childhood lead exposure remains a priority here, new funding continues to arrive on a rolling federal and local cycle, which is why it is worth checking current programs even if one is closed or fully committed when you look.
How to start
Most grants require a lead inspection or risk assessment before any work, so that is usually the first step. Onondaga Lead Services can connect you with a licensed, EPA-certified contractor for a lead paint inspection or risk assessment, which gives you the documentation a program will ask for. To apply for funding, start with the program pages above or contact the Onondaga County Health Department lead program. We connect you with a contractor for the work; the program decides the funding.