Get the Lead Out

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The Get the Lead Out Program is designed to provide low-cost financing to owners of 1-4 family properties to remove hazardous lead paint from their homes and reduce the possibility of lead poisoning in children. MassHousing is the administrating agency for this program and funding is provided by a state appropriation. Participating agencies include: Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Public Health and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

0% Deferred Interest Rates for Owner- Occupied Properties

No closing costs for 0% Deferred loans!
Loan is deferred until sale or refinance of the property
Flexible underwriting guidelines for owner occupant families of 1-4 family properties in which a child under the age of six resides or owner occupants who are court ordered to delead (must be child's permanant residence).
Owner-occupants without a child under the age of six and opt for preventative lead abatement to increase the livability of their property must meet standard underwriting guidelines to take advantage of the 0% deferred rate.

0% Interest Rate for Non-Profit Organizations

For Nonprofit organizations who rent to income-eligible tenants.
5 to 15 year loan terms based on the loan amount and borrower qualifications. All loans are fully amortizing.

3% Interest Rate for Investor-Owners

For investor-owners renting to income eligible tenants.
5 to 15 year loan terms based on the loan amount and borrower qualifications. All loans are fully amortizing.

Maximum Loan Limits

Single Family Home - $30,000
2-Family Home - $35,000
3-Family Home - $40,000
4-Family Home - $45,000

Eligible Activities

One hundred percent of the financing available under this program must be used for lead paint abatement activities. Lead remediation that has been started prior to loan closing is ineligible. MassHousing will not reimburse borrowers or contractors for work started before the loan closing.

Utilization of Funds with Other Programs

Funds provided under this program may be used in tandem with other programs which provide funds for rehabilitation activities (ex: CDBG, HOME, MassHousing Mortgage with Rehabilitation and other conventional home improvement funds, etc.).

Loan Application Process

Borrowers may apply for financing through Way Finders by first contacting 413-233-1621. We will determine borrower eligibility, provide assistance on the lead abatement process, and assist the borrowers in completing a loan package to be submitted to approve the loan. Borrowers choose state licensed lead abatement contractors and the method of treatment: scrape, dip, cover, or comparable replacement.

Lead Paint Abatement Oversight

The actual process of deleading a property is controlled by state law and regulations. Only state licensed lead paint inspectors may conduct inspections, which will be used as the basis for undertaking lead paint abatement work.

Lead Removal Options

State-licensed lead paint abatement contractors can do high-risk work and may undertake all of the deleading activity. New regulations allow moderate risk work to be performed by lead safe resonator-(contractors), who are licensed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD). Homeowners who receive a certificate from the Child Lead Paint Prevention Program (CLPPP) may undertake moderate-risk lead abatement and may be eligible to receive reimbursement for materials and expenses. AN itemized expense list must be submitted at time of initial loan application. Upon submission of Certificate of Compliance to the LRA, homeowners may receive reimbursement. There are no reimbursements for sweat equity.

Important Resources

Further information is also available concerning lead paint poisoning and abatement from the following groups:

Office of Environmental Affairs, Boston Lead Poisoning Prevention Program; resource for lead-poisoning
screening services for Boston area children, and information for renters who want to know about their rights and
responsibilities (617.534.5966)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program: maintains a list of
currently licensed lead paint inspectors; information on licensing procedures to do lead inspections, and information regarding lead poisoning screening services throughout the Commonwealth (800.532.9571)