Fort Worth is using National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 25-31, to remind residents of older homes that the city will test for lead paint and, for eligible households, pay for repairs.
The city's Lead-Safe Program, run by Neighborhood Services, offers the inspections and work at no charge to qualifying homeowners and renters whose homes were built before 1978, the city said in a news release Oct. 23. Residential use of lead-based paint was banned that year, according to the program's page.
What the program does
Every participating home gets an inspection and risk assessment for lead-based paint, along with a Healthy Homes inspection. If crews find deteriorating lead paint, the work can include repainting interior or exterior surfaces, replacing doors, windows or siding, and repairing urgent health and safety problems.
Who qualifies
The program page lists these requirements:
- The home is inside Fort Worth city limits and was built before 1978. Rental properties can qualify.
- The property owner agrees to take part.
- A pregnant woman lives in the home, or a child under 6 lives there or spends regular time there, at least 3 hours a day twice a week or at least 60 hours a year.
- A city inspection finds a lead-based paint hazard.
- Total yearly income for all adults in the household is at or below 80% of the area median.
The income limits, updated in June 2026, start at $61,800 for one person and rise to $70,600 for two, $79,450 for three, $88,250 for four, $95,350 for five, $102,400 for six, $109,450 for seven and $116,500 for eight.
The city will turn down homes that need more than $5,000 in other repairs to protect the lead work.
