Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is launching a comprehensive Lead Abatement and Healthy Homes Program to reduce environmental health hazards and improve housing conditions for residents across Dallas County.
This program fills a critical gap in services and focuses on protecting families—especially children—from the harmful effects of lead exposure and unsafe living environments.
Program Overview
The DCHHS Lead Abatement Program identifies and removes lead-based hazards in homes built before 1978, when lead-based paint was commonly used. Through inspections, testing, and remediation, the program ensures these homes are safe, healthy, and compliant with federal standards.
In addition to lead hazard control, the program incorporates a Healthy Homes approach, addressing multiple environmental risks that can impact overall well-being.
Services Provided
Eligible households living in homes built before 1978 may receive:
- Lead inspection and testing (paint, dust, soil)
- Lead hazard remediation and abatement
- Temporary relocation assistance during remediation, if needed
- Post-remediation clearance testing to ensure safety
- Healthy Homes interventions, including:
- Mold and moisture remediation
- Pest mitigation
- Ventilation improvements
- Carbon monoxide detection
- Minor home safety modifications (e.g., grab bars, non-slip flooring)
- Water quality improvements
Priority Populations
The program prioritizes households most at risk of lead exposure and environmental health hazards, including:
- Families with children under age 6
- Households with elevated blood lead levels
- Low-income households and underserved communities
- Families residing in high-risk areas of Dallas County, including West Dallas and East Oak Cliff
Target Service Areas
Initial outreach and services will focus on high-risk ZIP codes with older housing stock and historical environmental exposure, including: 75206, 75208, 75211, 75212 and 75216.
Click here for the DCHHS Tier 1 Environmental Review.
Date of Notice - April 17, 2026
Name of Responsible Entity (RE) - Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS)
Address - 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway
City, State, Zip Code - Dallas, TX 75207
Telephone Number - 214-819-2115
On or about April 25, 2026 the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, as amended, to undertake the following multi-year program/project: Lead Hazard Reduction, for the purpose of implementing a comprehensive lead hazard reduction initiative targeting high-risk residential areas within Dallas County, prioritizing ZIP codes 75212, 75208, 75211, 75206, and 75216, with a focus on communities in West Dallas and East Oak Cliff. Activities will include lead-based paint inspection, risk assessment, environmental testing, and abatement services to mitigate identified hazards in pre-1978 homes. The program will prioritize low- to moderate-income households and will be implemented in coordination with qualified environmental contractors and community-based outreach efforts. DCHHS will serve as the lead grantee and coordinating entity, overseeing program implementation, compliance, and all related activities. The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is requesting the release of $2,550,837.35 in federal funds, with DCHHS match of $366,536.00.
The proposed Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes activities to be funded under this/these program(s) is/are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at § 58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target area(s) listed above. Compliance with other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be met when individual projects are reviewed, i.e., Flood Insurance, Historic Preservation, Contamination/Toxics. Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds published. Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.
An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at Dallas County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division, Suite 609, 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207. The ERR is also available online at DCHHS Environmental Health Division and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The ERR may also be requested electronically by contacting LaTasha Gadberry at LaTasha.Gadberry@dallascounty.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Dallas County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division. All comments received by April 25, 2026, will be considered by Dallas County Health and Human Services prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Dallas County Health and Human Services certifies to HUD that Dr. Philip Huang in his official capacity as Director/Health Authority consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Dallas County Health and Human Services to utilize federal funds and implement the Program.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the Dallas County Health and Human Services certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date (cited above) or HUD’s actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases: (a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Dallas County Health and Human Services; (b) the Dallas County Health and Human Services has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the Dallas County Health and Human Services has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58), and may be addressed to HUD and sent to the email address: OLHCHHPECOS@hud.gov.
Philip Huang, MD, MPH, Director/Health Authority
Click here for the Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds.
