If you live in Essex County, NJ and own a home built before 1978, there is important news that could protect your family's health and increase your property's value — all at no cost to you. Through a state-funded lead abatement grant program, qualifying homeowners can receive between $15,000 and $25,000 to cover the complete cost of identifying and removing hazardous lead from their homes.
Lead-based paint was commonly used in homes built before 1978 and was the standard for decades before its health risks became clear. As that paint ages, it chips, cracks, and creates fine dust that can be inhaled or ingested — particularly by young children who explore their environments by touching surfaces and putting hands in their mouths.
In Essex County, where a significant portion of housing stock predates 1978, lead paint remains one of the most persistent environmental health threats. The good news is that the danger is completely preventable — and New Jersey has allocated funding specifically to help Essex County residents fix this at no personal cost.
Young children are most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause irreversible learning disabilities and developmental delays.
Lead exposure during pregnancy has been linked to premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems. Families expecting a baby should act immediately.
Lead poisoning is associated with reduced IQ, attention disorders, and aggressive behavior in children — effects that can persist into adulthood.
Documented lead hazards in a home must be disclosed to buyers and can significantly reduce your home's market value and complicate sales or refinancing.
If your Essex County home was built before 1978, lead paint may be present even if you can't see it — under layers of newer paint, in window frames, on doors, and in the soil around your foundation. The state-funded grant covers comprehensive testing and removal. There is no reason for any qualifying family to continue living with this risk.
This program is specifically targeted to Essex County homeowners who are most at risk. To qualify, you generally need to meet the following criteria — contact Jermaine to confirm your eligibility, as there may be additional requirements or flexibility based on your specific situation:
You must own and occupy a home in Essex County, NJ. Renters should contact their landlord — landlords may also be eligible to apply for grant funding on behalf of tenants.
Your home must have been built before 1978 — the year the federal government banned lead-based paint in residential properties. Homes from this era are the primary targets of the program.
Households with children under six years old or pregnant women receive priority consideration for grant funding given the elevated health risk to these groups.
The grant program has income eligibility limits that are set to serve low-to-moderate income households. Contact Jermaine directly for the current income thresholds — they are more generous than many homeowners expect.
Don't self-disqualify based on assumptions about income limits or property type. Call Jermaine at (973) 561-0565 and he will walk you through the requirements in detail. The call is free, takes minutes, and could save your family from years of unnecessary lead exposure.
This is a comprehensive lead remediation program — not a partial fix. The $15,000–$25,000 grant is designed to make your home fully lead-safe from start to finish. Here's exactly what's included:
All of the above is covered at zero out-of-pocket cost to qualifying homeowners. There are no hidden fees, no co-pays, and no repayment required for this grant.
When you apply for the grant, Jermaine will serve as your Lead Construction Manager (LCM) throughout the entire process. The LCM is your advocate and guide — the person who coordinates every step from initial inspection through final clearance testing, ensuring the work is done correctly and your family is protected.
Jermaine is not just an inspector — he's a certified lead professional with years of experience in the Essex County area, known for his honesty, professionalism, and genuine dedication to protecting the families he works with. When Jermaine manages your project, your home gets the same attention he'd give to his own.
Jermaine manages the entire process on your behalf. Here's what happens from your first call through the day your home is officially certified lead-safe:
Call Jermaine at (973) 561-0565 or (201) 218-3666. He'll ask a few brief questions to confirm your home and family may qualify, and schedule your initial visit at a time that works for you.
Jermaine personally visits your home and conducts a thorough lead inspection — testing paint surfaces, dust, and soil using certified methods. This visit is free and typically takes 2–4 hours depending on home size.
Jermaine helps you complete and submit the grant application with all required documentation. He handles the paperwork — you don't need to navigate the bureaucracy alone. Applications are submitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once your grant is approved, Jermaine coordinates with licensed lead abatement contractors to schedule and complete all the work. You'll know exactly what's happening, when, and in what order — no surprises.
After all remediation work is complete, a thorough professional cleanup removes all disturbed lead particles. A certified inspector then performs final clearance testing to verify that every lead hazard has been successfully eliminated.
Your home is officially certified lead-safe. You receive documentation that protects your family, increases your property's value, and satisfies disclosure requirements for any future sale or refinancing.
This program is funded through state grants with a limited budget. Spots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis — once funding is exhausted, there is no guarantee when additional funding will become available. If your home was built before 1978 and you have children or are expecting, do not wait.
To apply or to get your questions answered, contact Jermaine at NJ Roofing Maintenance — your local certified Lead Construction Manager:
📞 (973) 561-0565 — Jermaine's direct line
📞 (201) 218-3666 — NJ Roofing main office
🌐 www.handsinc.org/Lrap — Program information
Protect your family. Preserve your home. Trust Jermaine to help you make your home lead-safe — the right way.
Funding is limited and spots fill on a first-come, first-served basis. If your Essex County home was built before 1978, make the call now. It's free. It's fast. And it could change your family's future.
Essex County NJ homeowners only · Homes built before 1978 · First-come, first-served · Funding limited
