Although lead-based paint was outlawed for home use in 1978, it is still found in many older units. Children are especially susceptible to poisoning by fine particles of dust released when windows framed by contaminated paint are raised or lowered. Some 88,000 units are affected in Chicago alone.

To combat this problem, $6 million of private capital raised by Delta Redevelopment Funds through the federal New Markets Tax Credits Program has been combined with a $6 million grant from the City of Chicago to replace windows in more than 1700 affordable housing units.

Chicago Lead Safe Window Services will provide and finance lead abatement services for owners of multi-family buildings (four or more units) in low-income Chicago communities. Half the loan amount will come from Delta Redevelopment Funds and half from the City of Chicago grant. Once a building owner pays back half the loan plus interest, Delta REDI will use the city grand funds to forgive the other half. Thus, building owners will receive lead abatement services and energy efficient windows at half price, and the City of Chicago will leverage its $6 million grant to double the number of units that receive abatement services.

Delta REDI is seeking other potential sources of public and private money to leverage for increased lead abatement throughout Illinois.