JAMESTOWN, NY – The City of Jamestown has been awarded $1,700,000 through the Leading in Lead Prevention Program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation under New York State Homes & Community Renewal. The award will support a targeted lead hazard remediation initiative within the City’s older rental housing stock and will be implemented in coordination with the Chautauqua County Health Department’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. The initiative represents a coordinated City–County effort to proactively reduce lead exposure risks within Jamestown.
Jamestown’s housing profile and public health data demonstrate a clear need for continued intervention. The City has one of the higher counts of lead poisoned children in New York State outside of New York City, and approximately 75 percent of lead poisoned children in Chautauqua County reside within Jamestown. Additionally, an estimated 94 percent of residential units were constructed prior to 1980, when lead-based paint was commonly used, increasing the likelihood of hazards within older housing.
Funding will support direct remediation activities in eligible rental units, including work on high-risk friction and impact surfaces such as windows and doors, paint stabilization, and related lead-safe rehabilitation measures. The program also provides temporary relocation assistance during active remediation and requires final clearance testing prior to reoccupancy to ensure units meet established safety standards.
“Protecting children from lead exposure requires consistent monitoring, clear standards, and timely intervention,” said Anna Powell, Chautauqua County Health Department’s Childhood Lead & Healthy Homes Coordinator and Senior Public Health Sanitarian. “Proper identification of hazards and adherence to established safety standards are essential to preventing exposure. Working in close coordination with the Department of Development allows us to move efficiently from assessment to clearance, ensuring families return to safe, healthy homes.”
“Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, yet it continues to pose a serious risk to young children—especially in older homes where lead-based paint may still be present,” said Lacey Wilson, Chautauqua County Public Health Director. “We are grateful for our partnership with the City of Jamestown as we work together to identify and safely remove lead paint hazards, reduce the risk of exposure, and ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and healthy home.”
The City of Jamestown Department of Development will administer the program, including property intake and eligibility screening, project scoping, contractor procurement, construction oversight, and grant compliance. The Chautauqua County Health Department will provide certified technical services, including environmental risk assessments and post-remediation clearance testing.
“This funding expands our ability to improve the safety and condition of housing across Jamestown,” said Crystal Surdyk, Director of Development for the City of Jamestown. “Safe, well-maintained homes are essential to strong neighborhoods. By addressing lead hazards in older rental properties, we are making meaningful improvements that protect families and enhance the overall quality of our housing stock. These investments help ensure residents have access to safe, healthy living environments and support long-term stability throughout our community.”
The program is grounded in the established partnership between the City of Jamestown and the Chautauqua County Health Department’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. With both departments operating within City Hall, staff are able to coordinate efficiently on intake, inspections, project oversight, and regulatory review, ensuring alignment from start to finish. The initiative builds upon existing systems, including the City’s Rental Registry and the County’s certified lead prevention services, positioning projects to move from property intake to construction start in approximately 45 to 60 days. Additional details regarding property owner eligibility and participation requirements will be shared in the coming weeks, and the City encourages eligible rental property owners to participate in this effort to improve housing conditions across Jamestown.
