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Safe and Healthy Homes​

Everyone deserves to live in a healthy home, regardless of income level or geography.

Tulsa Health Department launched in April 2019 a voluntary program that will provide Tulsa County property owners free courtesy inspections of homes and apartment units to ensure a healthy and safe home for their tenants. Qualifying properties will be enrolled as a THD Safe & Healthy Home. Our hope is that property owners and renters will experience the benefits that a healthy and safe living space can provide.

If you are a property owner and would like to learn more about becoming a THD Safe & Healthy Homes Participant or if you are renting a property in Tulsa County, contact our office at 918-595-4200.

Together we can make Tulsa the healthiest county in the country by providing all our residents safe and healthy dwelling spaces with safety and security measures in place to maintain the occupants’ well-being.

Property Owner Information

How Safe & Healthy Homes Program will work:

Property owners and managers enroll in this voluntary incentive program. Owners register their properties and request initial meeting. THD will conduct a courtesy inspection and explain the program. The voluntary inspections will be based off of Title 55 Property Maintenance Code: "to ensure public health, safety and welfare as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises, to provide a level of health and safety."

Once the inspection has been completed and passed, owner can advertise and display sticker showing they are enrolled in the THD Safe & Healthy Homes program. In addition to the incentives, THD asks that the property owner or a representative attends a housing educational class, example Housing 101. THD will help educate tenants with reasonable expectations when renting. Together, we can create healthier neighborhoods and safe housing.

Register Here

Incentives for Registry:

1. Courtesy Safe Housing inspection once a year or between tenants
2. Certificate of Participation and decal for door or window
3. Listed as a Community Partner on program website
4. Courtesy phone conference to discuss complaints/ repairs before an Order to Repair is mailed
5. Free lead testing for water and paint sample (one time)
6. Rodent survey of property, bait station if needed 
7. Registry with mosquito program, trap site and survey during season
8. Registry with City of Tulsa WIN Nuisance Abatement program   
9. Registry with City of Tulsa Crime Prevention program

Program Inspection Frequency

Apartment Complexes in good standing with THD:

  • Self-inspection program utilized for every new tenant
  • THD packet given to new renters
  • THD info given to existing renters
  • THD will inspect 10% of apartments while vacant

Single Family Homes or Duplexes in good standing:

  • Self-inspection program utilized for every new tenant
  • THD packet given to new renters
  • THD info given to existing renters
  • THD will inspect homes while vacant in between renters

Apartments Complexes with unaddressed notices in previous year:

  • Self-inspection program utilized for every new tenant
  • THD packet given to new renters
  • THD info given to existing renters
  • THD will inspect 25% of apartments while vacant in between renters

Single Family Homes or Duplexes unaddressed with notices in previous year:

  • Self-inspection program utilized for every new tenant
  • THD packet given to new renters
  • THD info given to existing renters
  • THD will inspect homes while vacant in between renters

For the purposes of this program, a property in good standing is one that has complied with the guidelines of the THD’s Safe and Healthy Homes Project, and had no unaddressed violations in the previous year.

Resources:

Tenant Information

Safe and healthy homes are an important part of our community. Tulsa Health Department (THD) recognizes that living in an unsafe home can lead to stresses that affect your work, health, and even your children’s ability to learn in school. Many people do not know their rights and may live in an unsafe home. If you have a question that is not
addressed below, please call THD’s Environmental Health Services Department at 918.595.4200 for assistance.

 

Resources:

The Tulsa Health Department (THD) received a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reduce lead-based paint hazards in qualifying homes with children under the age of 6 that live in Tulsa County. The inspection identifies lead-based paint, dust and soil hazards in residential properties. The overall goal of the Lead Hazard Control Program is to reduce lead hazards inside the home for the residents of Tulsa County, especially those households with children under the age of 6. THD has identified three zip codes most at risk: 74106, 74110 and 74127, but can work to help any family in Tulsa County that meets the grant requirements.

THD can conduct a no cost to you lead-based paint inspection and risk assessment for any home in Tulsa County that has a child with an elevated blood lead level. Additional lead paint hazard removal work is based on eligibility for the grant.

No cost to you lead hazard removal

THD can potentially remove lead hazards from your home at no cost to you. For rental properties, income qualifications are based on renter income. For owner-occupied homes, eligibility is based on occupants. Once an application is submitted, and it is determined that the renters meet program requirements, the Project Manager will contact you to schedule an appointment for a free lead-based paint inspection and risk assessment. After your property is inspected and tested for lead, you will receive a report identifying the presence of lead hazards (if any).

The Project Manager will discuss a workplan proposal for lead removal at no cost to the owner. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and decide whether you want to proceed with the lead hazard removal work. Typical treatments may include repainting interior or exterior walls, covering the outside of home with siding, or window replacement.

THD is seeking contractors that are licensed through ODEQ for lead hazard removal, for more information contact us for a contractor application.

Eligibility

Some of the eligibility requirements include:

  • Rental or owner-occupied home built before 1978 and located in Tulsa County.
  • Children under the age of 6 living or visiting often.
  • Income at or below 50% or 80% of area’s median income level (see application for information).

Lead Safety Education

The LHCP educates the public on lead-based paint hazards though community outreach. Staff are available for public presentations to any interested group or organization. THD can help identify the cause of elevated blood lead levels found though routine doctor visits.

Resources

Where does the lead dust come from?

Homes built prior to 1978 may have lead paint which can deteriorate and create leaded dust that can poison a child. Most children are poisoned in their own homes. The only way to protect children from lead poisoning is to remove lead hazards from their environment. Improper repair or renovation can make the problem worse.

 
Lead is especially dangerous to children 6 years of age and younger

Even the smallest amounts of lead can interfere with a child’s brain development resulting in a permanent reduction in intelligence and may cause behavioral and learning problems, as well as other health problems. There are few obvious signs a child has been lead-poisoned; the only way to know for sure is to have your child tested by his or her physician. Oklahoma State Department of Health offers blood lead testing.  

The lead hazards that children most often touch are lead dust, leaded soil, loose chips and chewable surfaces containing lead-based paint.  A child may also put toys, pacifiers, or hands into their mouth which may have come in contact with lead dust or soil. Lead can be found in:

  • Moving parts of windows and doors that can create lead dust
  • Painted surfaces of windows, doors, wood trim, walls, cabinets, porches, stairs, railing, fire escapes, and lamp posts
  • Soil near building exteriors that have been painted with lead-based paint and near busy streets where leaded gasoline dust may have settled
  • Drinking water
  • The clothing, hair, or skin of those who work around lead and may bring the dust into the home
  • Glazed pottery and cookware from other countries

Ways you can immediately protect your child from lead exposure include:

  • Keeping them from paint chips and dust
  • Using a wet cloth or mop to clean floors and surfaces, particularly where floors and walls meet
  • Thoroughly cleaning window sills
  • Use only vacuum cleaners with an internal HEPA-rated filter
  • Make sure your children wash their hands regularly and always before eating
  • Wash toys, teething rings, and pacifiers frequently
How to schedule a blood test through OSDH

There are few obvious signs a child has been lead-poisoned; the only way to know for sure is to have your child tested by his or her physician.

Schedule a Blood Test

LOCATIONS

We have 10 locations across Tulsa County that offer a variety of services to help you and your family stay healthy.

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