GMM Habitat Announces Lead Remediation and Abatement Program

GREATER MIDDLESEX & MORRIS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ANNOUNCES LEAD ABATEMENT PROGRAM

RANDOLPH, N.J., November 18, 2025--Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity (GMM Habitat) today announced the launch of its Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP) for homeowners, tenants and landlords. The program is designed to help protect families and children from the harmful health impacts of lead. 

Funded by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and administered by GMM Habitat, the LRAP program is available to Morris County homeowners, tenants and landlords who live in or own homes built before 1978 and who meet certain income eligibility requirements.

According to the New Jersey DCA, lead-based paint was widely used in buildings, including residential housing, constructed before 1978, which is the year lead was banned from household paints in the U.S. Exposure to lead paint is a health threat, especially for children under six years of age who may touch, swallow, or breathe in lead dust. Exposure can cause adverse health effects including brain damage, slowed growth and development, and other problems affecting learning, behavior, hearing and speech.

Lead remediation focuses on reducing the risk of exposure to lead paint without necessarily removing all of it. Remediation can include paint stabilization, making surfaces smooth and cleanable, and correcting dust-generating conditions. Lead abatement involves the complete removal of lead paint via replacement and/or repair.

“Our goal is to remediate and abate 97 homes in Morris County by the end of 2026,” said Mark Odenwelder, Vice President of Home Repair and Community Revitalization Programs.

To view eligibility details and apply, visit: https://www.morrishabitat.org/lrap

 or call 973-891-1934 ext. 101.

About Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity

Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization, Habitat for Humanity International, committed to building homes, communities, and hope. The organization, which is one of the leading builders of affordable housing in New Jersey, serves 68 municipalities in Morris and Middlesex Counties and the greater Plainfield area. Through volunteer labor and monetary donations and materials, Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat builds affordable new homes and provides home repair services to income eligible families and individuals. Now in its 40^th year, Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat has served nearly 1,100 families through building more than 200 local homes, preserving 531 homes for low-income homeowners and seniors, and helping 383 families with housing solutions worldwide. The local affiliate organization has engaged more than 150,000 volunteers in its various programs. Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat also operates a successful ReStore home improvement and furnishings outlet in Randolph which has kept 21,772 tons of reusable materials out of landfills and funded 42 homes since 2007. 

For more information, visit gmmhabitat.org or call 973-891-1934.