Cortland County Launches Coordinated Healthy Homes and Lead Prevention Initiative
The Cortland County Health Department (CCHD), Cortland County Community Action Program (CAPCO), and the Rural Health Institute of New York (RHI) have launched a coordinated Healthy Homes and Lead Prevention Initiative aimed at reducing childhood lead exposure and addressing housing-related health hazards across Cortland County.
The initiative brings together two complementary funding sources: a newly awarded HUD Healthy Homes Production Grant to CCHD and continued support from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to RHI. Together, these investments support both home remediation and upstream prevention efforts. This initiative also builds on established lead prevention and screening work through CCHD’s implementation of the NYS Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) and the Healthy Neighborhood Program (HNP).
Cortland County faces some of the highest housing-related health risks in New York State. Local data show elevated blood lead levels among children at rates significantly above the state average. Radon exposure also remains a serious concern, and many homes in the county have tested above recommended action levels. The county’s aging housing stock, particularly homes built before 1978, increases the risk of lead paint hazards.
HUD Grant: Direct Home Remediation
Through the HUD Healthy Homes Production Grant, CCHD, CAPCO and RHI will coordinate implementation activities that will lead to Healthy Homes Assessments and remediation work in approximately 40 homes located within designated target census tracts in Cortland County, as well as a coordinated community outreach and awareness effort.
Eligible households will receive:
Lead and radon testing
Comprehensive Healthy Homes assessments
Hazard remediation, including lead interim controls and radon mitigation as needed
The program prioritizes households with young children and other risk factors. CAPCO will oversee contractor coordination and rehabilitation work, building on its experience delivering housing and energy services locally. As part of this effort, CAPCO has hired a full-time Program Manager to oversee day-to-day delivery of eligible home assessments and remediation.
RHI has also hired a full-time Project Director, partially funded through the HUD grant and the complementary MCHF funding. This role will lead outreach and community engagement for the HUD Healthy Homes project and coordinate prevention and capacity building strategies supported by MCHF.
MCHF: Supporting Upstream Lead Prevention Strategies
In 2025, RHI was awarded a second round of funding through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to continue its lead poisoning prevention work. This work builds on RHI’s long standing role as the backbone organization for the Cortland County Literacy Coalition. For years, the Literacy Coalition and its partners have helped connect families with young children to trusted resources. Those same relationships will help ensure lead prevention and healthy homes information reaches parents and caregivers in ways that are practical, familiar, and easy to access.
The RHI Project Director will work closely with Literacy Coalition partners and other trusted organizations to share information, support referrals, and help families access services. Key activities include:
Sustaining and expanding the Cortland County Literacy Coalition to include a Lead Prevention and Healthy Homes Task Force
Launching a comprehensive health communications campaign to increase awareness and early screening
Distributing lead prevention resource bags with at-home testing kits and cleaning supplies
Expanding a publicly accessible housing age and lead risk database tool
Currently, fewer than 70% of local children are screened for lead by age three, with disparities affecting low-income and rural families. This initiative aims to improve screening rates and reduce inequities through coordinated outreach and engagement.
A Cross-Sector Partnership for Healthier Homes
This initiative reflects years of collaboration among public health, housing, and community partners. Together, CCHD, CAPCO, RHI, and other partners are building a continuum of support that includes prevention, education, and direct remediation, with the goal of ensuring children and families live in safer, healthier homes.
The official launch of the program will be announced in the near future. At that time, residents will be able to check eligibility and apply to participate. For information on lead prevention, visit: https://www.hellocortland.fun/lead