A New Resource for Families: Cortland County's Healthy Homes Program
The Cortland County Health Department, in partnership with CAPCO and the Rural Health Institute of New York, has officially launched the Cortland County Healthy Homes Production Program, funded through HUD. The program is designed to help qualifying Cortland County households identify and address home health and safety hazards at no cost.
About the Program
The HUD-funded Healthy Homes Production Program aims to conduct assessments in 50 homes and provide remediation work and home improvements in approximately 40 homes by November 2028. Every enrolled home receives a comprehensive assessment — including a visual inspection, occupant interview, radon testing, and lead inspection for all pre-1978 homes — with services tailored to what is found.
Work completed through the program may include both remediation of specific identified hazards and broader home improvements designed to support a healthier, safer living environment. These are related but distinct: remediation targets confirmed hazards like lead paint or elevated radon levels, while home improvements address conditions that pose safety risks or contribute to poor home health. Examples of work that may be completed include:
Radon mitigation
Lead hazard reduction, including lead mitigation — prioritized for homes with young children
Safe egress improvements, such as stair repairs
Smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher installation
Addressing active roof leaks that contribute to moisture or mold issues (note: this is not a roof replacement program)
Moisture control and mold remediation
Ventilation improvements
Accessibility modifications
Other safety-related repairs based on the specific needs of the home
All work is completed by pre-approved, certified contractors coordinated through CAPCO, and is subject to HUD guidelines and environmental review requirements. The specific scope of work for each home is determined following the assessment, based on findings, the household needs, and funding and program priorities.
What Are Healthy Homes Principles?
The Healthy Homes framework, developed by HUD, is built on the idea that a home should be safe, dry, clean, well-ventilated, pest-free, contaminant-free, maintained, and thermally comfortable. These eight principles recognize that housing conditions directly affect the physical health, safety, and well-being of the people who live there.
Research consistently shows that children are especially vulnerable to housing-related health hazards. Lead exposure can cause lasting developmental harm. Mold and moisture contribute to asthma and respiratory illness. Radon — an odorless, radioactive gas — is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Addressing these hazards isn't just about fixing a house; it's about protecting the health of the families inside it.
The Cortland County Healthy Homes Production Program uses this framework to guide assessments and prioritize interventions, ensuring that the work done in each home reflects the full picture of what makes a home healthy and safe.
A New Online Resource
As part of this launch, we are excited to share the new Healthy Homes page on Hello Cortland, which makes it easier for residents and the community partners who serve them to connect with available resources.
Hello Cortland is an online platform developed by RHI that helps Cortland County families find local events, resources, and practical support for raising young children. Families and partners can now visit hellocortland.fun/healthyhomes to learn more about the Healthy Homes Production Program, access the eligibility screener, and view related resources.
Eligibility Screener
On the Healthy Homes page, families and partners will find a simple eligibility screener designed to make the first step as easy as possible. Through the screener, Cortland County residents can find out whether they may be eligible for the Healthy Homes Program. Even for households that do not qualify, the page provides helpful resources to reduce exposure to lead and other environmental hazards in the home.
The eligibility screener asks for basic information, including:
Household information — contact information, household income, number of adults and children, and whether anyone in the household is part of one of the program's target populations: children under age 18, adults age 62 and older, and people with disabilities.
Home information — the home address, to determine whether the household is located in the eligible area of the county and whether the home was built before 1978.
To make the process as easy as possible, respondents can skip questions or estimate income and still be connected with resources. If responses indicate potential eligibility, an official application will be sent by email with next steps.
Community partners play an important role in helping families connect to these resources. If you work with children, older adults, pregnant people, people with disabilities, or low-income households, we encourage you to share this tool broadly with the families and individuals you support.
Families and partners can visit hellocortland.fun/healthyhomes to access the eligibility screener and view available healthy homes resources.
The Application Process
If the screener indicates that a household may be eligible, the next step is completing a formal application with CAPCO. A link to the application will be automatically emailed to households who complete the screener, or families can contact CAPCO Energy Services directly at (607) 344-3112.
The application requires documentation from both the property owner and the residents in the home — things like proof of ownership, proof of income, photo IDs, and birth certificates for young children. CAPCO staff will assist with income eligibility and help applicants navigate the process. Once eligibility is confirmed, CAPCO will schedule the Healthy Homes assessment. All work is completed at no cost to qualifying households.
For a full list of required documents and answers to common questions, visit the Healthy Homes page at hellocortland.fun/healthyhomes.
A note for community partners: If you are working directly with a family who may be eligible, you can submit a referral on their behalf using the partner referral form available on the Healthy Homes page. You can also play an important role in supporting families through the application process — helping them gather documentation, understand next steps, or simply stay connected as they navigate the program. This kind of hands-on support can make a real difference for households who may face barriers to completing the process on their own.
Referral Form for Providers Working Directly with Families
Partners working directly with families and individuals may also use a separate referral form to help residents begin the eligibility process. This option is especially helpful for providers who are already supporting a household and want to make a more direct connection to the program.
A dedicated partner page is also available for local agencies, community groups, and Healthy Homes / Lead Poisoning Prevention Task Force members. This page includes information, referral guidance, and educational and promotional materials to help partners share the program and promote healthier homes across Cortland County.
Healthy Homes Task Force
In Spring 2026, the Healthy Homes / Lead Poisoning Prevention Task Force was established as part of the Literacy Coalition of Cortland County. The Task Force brings together local service providers, agencies, community groups, and other stakeholders committed to reducing home health hazards and preventing childhood lead exposure across Cortland County.
Task Force members help strengthen this work by staying informed about the program, sharing feedback, identifying outreach opportunities, and helping connect families to available resources. The group also plays an important role in coordinating local efforts, building partnerships, and supporting future funding opportunities to expand healthy homes work in the county.
Get Involved or Learn More
For questions about the application, home assessment, mitigation and home improvement component of the program, contact CAPCO at (607) 344-3112 or weather@capco.org.
For general questions about the initiative, the Task Force, or how your organization can get more involved, contact Sara Watrous, Project Director at RHI, at swatrous@nyrhi.org.
Program participation, assessments, and remediation activities are subject to eligibility, funding availability, environmental review requirements, and HUD program guidelines.
