Yonkers Family Gets $139,000 Lead Repair

Nearly $139,000 was spent to remove lead hazards from a single-family home in Yonkers. The Westchester County Department of Planning allocated $136,041 for remediation work and $2,893 for inspections at the property. The house, built in 1905, houses a family of four, including two young children. Repairs were completed in August 2026.

Inspectors found 339 surfaces with deteriorated lead-based paint. Workers replaced 41 windows and stabilized paint on 21 others. The team also treated lead hazards on doors, stairways, walls, and ceilings. Exterior paint was stabilized, and specialized cleaning was performed. The family left the home during the project. They returned after the property passed post-remediation dust testing.

County Executive Ken Jenkins spoke during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. He stated that no family should worry about their home putting their children at risk. Jenkins noted that the program helps owners handle costly repairs. He said the Yonkers project allowed the family to return to a safer home. He urged more residents to learn about the program.

Blanca Lopez, Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning, said lead-based paint remains a concern in older homes. She noted that many owners do not realize the extent of hazards until an inspection occurs. The team works with eligible residents to identify risks and coordinate repairs. Lopez said the program provides financial assistance to complete the work while families maintain their homes.

Marlaina Headley, the property owner, thanked Jenkins and his team. She said the safety of her two children is her highest priority. Headley explained that covering the cost of such work is difficult without assistance. The program funded all lead repairs and inspections. She said knowing the county helped make the home safer means Westchester is part of the village raising her kids. She recommended other owners check their eligibility.

More than 81% of Westchester County's housing stock was built before 1978. That is the year lead-based paint was banned for residential use. Lead poisoning can have long-term effects on children's health and development. The county aims to protect residents by identifying and correcting these hazards.

The county received a $7.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding supports lead hazard reduction in homes occupied by low- and moderate-income households. The grant covers the next four years. The Department of Planning administers the Lead Safe Westchester program. It provides inspections and coordinates repairs through licensed contractors.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding is limited. Eligibility is based on federal income guidelines. For rental properties, tenant income determines eligibility. Priority is given to units with children younger than six or pregnant women. Owners of single-family and multifamily properties can apply via the county website, email, or phone.