Offers several programs to assist with housing needs. Emergency Assistance Program: Intended to address emergency situations such as utility service interruption (plumbing, heating, electrical) and the repair of specific house systems that are in poor or dangerous condition (roof, chimney). Conditions noted with each request for emergency assistance will be verified by a representative of the Office of Strategic Planning. Property must be well maintained and structurally sound. 50/50 Program: Offers a conditional grant for low-income first-time home buyers who are purchasing an existing one or two bedroom home in need of rehabilitation in the City of Buffalo. Grant is to assist in the rehabilitation of the home being purchased, amounting to one half of the rehabilitation cost up to a maximum of $25,000. City funds are used to match private financing for renovations to bring the property into compliance with local standards and lead-based paint hazard reduction requirements. Weatherization Program: Offers funds, up to $5,000 per structure, to assist homeowners in the City of Buffalo to make their homes more energy efficient and protected from the elements. Eligible expenses through this program include weather-stripping and caulking of doors and windows; cleaning, testing, and repairs of heating systems; adding insulation to walls and ceilings; and minor repairs as needed. Program is available city-wide to income-eligible owner occupants who meet program application guidelines. Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program: Provides financial assistance to low and moderate income first-time homebuyers for closing costs related to the purchase of their first home. Funds are provided as an interest-free conditional grant/loan with a five-year term that is secured by a second mortgage on the property. Home Repair Program (currently unavailable until further notice): Offers housing repairs such as replacing windows, doors, furnaces, and hot water tanks. Program is available to income-eligible owner occupants who meet program application guidelines. Targets 20 owner-occupied homes for critical home repairs in the 14214, 14215, and 14216 zip codes of the City of Buffalo.

Housing Rehabilitation & Home Repair Programs: Address health and safety issues in qualifying owner-occupied homes to bring the units up to Housing Quality Standards, including, but not limited to lead hazard reduction, structural corrections, thermal upgrading, mechanical systems, and other health and safety issues. Mobile Home Replacement Initiative: Provides the opportunity to have older, inefficient manufactured/mobile homes replaced with new Energy Star rated, single-wide units. Home must not be in a mobile home park. Weatherization program also available; see separate listing for details.

Eligible participants (having homes built before 1978) will receive a free in-home inspection for lead hazards as well as a free smoke and carbon monoxide detector set. During the inspection, tenants will also receive free cleaning supplies and instructions on how to safely clean up lead paint chips and dust. Landlords and homeowners will be encouraged to attend a free lead renovator's education at Jamestown Community College. After completion of the course, participants will receive free painting supplies valued at up to $300/unit depending on the number of hazards identified. A re-inspection will take place to make sure the hazards have been corrected in a timely manner.

Responsible for the regulation of public water supplies and all residential or small commercial private wastewater treatment facilities and for the review and approval of plans for new or replacement water lines, sanitary sewers, private wastewater treatment systems, public swimming pools, and realty subdivisions.

Provides environmental information, products, and a home safety survey by Health Inspectors/Educators. Home visits include an assessment for indoor air quality, asthma control, carbon monoxide poisoning, fire and burn safety, lead poisoning hazards, unintentional injury, smoking cessation, and housing and property maintenance. Following the home assessment, intervention products and services are provided according to need and interest. Free products include: smoke detectors and batteries, CO detectors, child safety products, cleaning supplies, asthma trigger management supplies, and radon test kits to qualifying families.

Provides a wide variety of services essential to the health and well-being of all Genesee County Residents. Service areas include public water supply protection, community sanitation and food protection, private water and sewage disposal systems, realty subdivision plan review, public health nuisances, residential lead investigations, chemical emergencies, rabies investigations, and enforcement of both the Adolescent Tobacco Use and Prevention Act (ATUPA) and the NYS Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA). The Environmental Health division also operates multiple anti-rabies immunization clinics annually to administer vaccines to domestic animals, including cats, dogs, and ferrets, in order to reduce the spread of the potentially life threatening disease.

Replaces lead water service lines and damaged (broken or leaking) water service lines in residential homes in the City of Buffalo.

Provides the information and tools that families, homeowners, and property owners need to prevent children from being exposed to dangerous lead hazards. Program comprises two parts: The Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention Grant Program (Lead Primary) and Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention Initiative (Primary Initiative). Lead Primary activities are focused in neighborhoods that have been identified as "communities of concern" where children are at highest risk for lead poisoning. Activities are carried out in 1, 2, 3 or 4 unit family homes in zip codes identified as "Communities of Concern" for lead poisoning (see eligibility for specific zip codes). "Areas of High Risk" within these zip codes are identified to receive a concentrated intervention. Each home in the "area of high risk" receives a full exterior inspection, and in some cases, an interior inspection and a lead education visit for the occupant. Repairs, utilizing lead safe work practices, must be made to any identified lead hazards. The Primary Initiative is a county-wide program available in all areas of Erie County. Families with young children who want information about lead poisoning prevention can request an assessment of their pre-1978 home. A visual exterior and interior inspection by staff will identify any potential lead hazards and a lead education visit with the family will provide cleaning supplies and strategies for avoiding lead hazards. Repairs, utilizing lead safe work practices, must be made to any identified lead hazards. Program also provides: - Free training on how to conduct "Lead Safe Work Practices" (LSWP) when doing repairs or remodeling in the home; see website for class schedule and registration. - Free materials and supplies for doing the required work "lead safe" after taking the LSWP course; - Referrals to additional resources and programs available for lead poisoning prevention; - Training for agencies, municipalities, and community organizations.

Certified water quality testing lab measures numerous water quality parameters, including coliform / e.coli bacteria, nitrates, lead and more. Partners with volunteers to monitor local water quality including monitoring harmful algal blooms on Cayuga Lake.

Promotes lead monitoring and education. Recommended for children ages 9 months through 6 years. Available by appointment at the Immunization Clinic.

Provides the following services: - Inspection and sampling for community water supplies - Sewage system installation approval, for a fee - Inspection of private sewage and water system for property transfers - Soil testing - Inspection and permitting of food service establishments, children's camps, recreational camps, and mobile home parks - Investigation of complaints that indicate a potential cause of community health problems - Rabies program (see separate listing)

Provides education, monitoring, case follow up, environmental investigation, nutrition, and developmental screening for children with elevated lead levels. Information regarding lead poisoning is available for the general community.

Administers a food inspection program of food service establishments and caterers to protect the public's health, and provides health education and information on safe food handling practices. Also provides information and issues permits for operating temporary food stands. To view food facility inspection reports, see: https://www.healthspace.com/Clients/NewYork/Erie/Erie_Live_Web.nsf

Provides shelter and care to injured, abused, lost and abandoned animals before finding them a new home through adoption. Helps reunite families with lost pets. Keeps potentially dangerous animals off the streets, provides dog control for the City of Buffalo. Offers help trapping and removing nuisance animals in addition to rodent control. Also exterminates pests that are on city property. Volunteer opportunities available.

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (Child Lead) is responsible for the case management of lead poisoned children in Erie County. Addresses the potential for lead exposure, as well as preventing lead poisoned children from further exposure. Conducts investigations and provides information to the parents or guardians of children under the age of 18 that have tested positive for elevated blood lead level. New York State Guidelines require that all children be screened for lead at ages one and two years and every year up to age six if certain risk factors, such as residing in pre-1978 housing, are present. Activities of Child Lead include: - Case management for children with elevated blood lead levels - Providing information on legislation, sources of lead exposure, methods to reduce lead exposure, medical treatment, and lead hazard reduction activities - Leadership and coordination of lead activities in the community - Lead testing for children under age 6

Committed to reducing the potential of lead exposure for all children living in Niagara County. Lead is a poison that can affect every system of the child's body. It is particularly harmful to the developing brain, sometimes causing severe developmental delays that may affect the child throughout his or her lifetime. Program goals include assurance that all children ages one and two (and up to age six if at risk) have been tested for lead poisoning, minimizing the risk of childhood lead exposure through educational home visits and environmental referral, if appropriate; providing information on proper medical evaluation and follow up; preventing lead exposure to children before they are harmed; and identifying, controlling, and/or safely removing lead hazards in the child's environment. Services provided include lead testing of uninsured children who require a test; reviewing lead test results; notifying parent or guardian of elevated test results; visiting parent or guardian at home to provide education on care of children with elevated blood lead levels; and if appropriate, referring children to the NCDOH Early Intervention Program for developmental testing.

Public Health Sanitarians inspect for health hazards and advise on preventive measures to maintain a healthy environment. Environmental health services include inspection of residential sites, schools, restaurants and other businesses involved with food, children's camps, swimming pools, beaches, septic systems, hotels/motels, rooming houses, campsites, mobile home parks, day care centers, and tattoo parlors. Enforces smoking restrictions and advises on animal bites. Visit the GOHealthNY Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram page for news and information.

Conducts property transfer surveys which includes bacteriological water analysis and testing of on-site waste water treatment systems. Regulates all public water supplies as defined by Part 5 of the NYS Sanitary Code. Oversees cooling tower registry and reviews water testing results. Investigates special issues including rabies, radon, nuisance complaints, smoking in public, emergencies related to Public Health, West Nile Virus/Eastern Equine Encephalitis, mosquito vector surveillance, and control measures as warranted. Responsible for food service establishment permitting, education, and inspection. Oversees permitting and enforces the NYS Sanitary Code for Bathing Beaches, Children Camps, Swimming Pools, Temporary Residences, Tanning Salons, and Tattoo and Piercing Parlors. Investigates and oversees the abatement of lead-based paint hazards in dwellings where children under 6 years of age resides.

A federally funded grant program designed to help families stay safe from lead. Homes built prior to 1978 could contain lead-based paint. When small children are exposed to lead it can cause behavioral problems, damage to organs, and learning problems. Homeowners and renters in Niagara Falls and Lockport may qualify for free or low-cost lead-based paint control and housing improvements. Potential items that qualify include replacement windows, replacement doors, fresh paint, aluminum trim, and more. Application to this program is open to any household with a child under 6 (either living in the home or frequently visiting). Assistance is available to determine if applicants meet the income and eligibility requirements. Rental property owners are encouraged to apply as well.

Assists with finding resources within the community to prevent, provide early detection, and effectively manage lead poisoning in children and pregnant women. Training, lectures, and additional resources available for child care providers, health care providers, and other interested community members.

Program is both educational and remedial, providing residents in target areas of Niagara County with free environmental health and safety products and materials. Areas of concern include preventing home fires, preventing poisoning from radon, carbon monoxide and lead, improving air quality, preventing asthma attacks, and promoting safety awareness. The HNP provides free products and materials according to the needs of the residents as determined by public health technicians at the time of the indoor home assessment appointment. A resident may receive free smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, asthma relief materials, lead poisoning prevention clean up materials, a fire escape ladder, child safety products, adult safety products, poisoning prevention materials, and other seasonally selected products. There is no paperwork to fill out. Residents are often revisited to reassess needs and/or progress.

The Environmental Health Division is dedicated to protecting the citizens and visitors of Erie County from biological, chemical, and physical hazards that may be present in food, water, and the built environment. Environmental Health sanitarians, engineers, nurses, educators and vector control workers: - Conduct inspections and investigations - Educate and motivate the public to prevent environmental hazards - Provide medical case management for children diagnosed with lead poisoning - Provide timely environmental health information in times of emergency - Provide assistance and information in cases of potential rabies exposures - Review plans and advise the public in environmentally safe construction, development and upgrades to facilities - Assist in the control of disease-causing vectors - Enforce applicable local, state, and national codes, and regulations to protect public health

* All vaccination clinics suspended during the COVID-19 outbreak. * Controls and investigates diseases that can pass from person to person, including sexually-transmitted infections, HIV, and AIDS. Provides lead poisoning prevention, immunization clinics, flu clinics, maternal and child health visits, and confidential testing and follow-up for TB (tuberculosis), When needed and ordered by the Health Care Provider, certain Public Health Nursing services may be provided in the home. Visit the GOHealthNY Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram page for news and information.