The Dreaded Lead Issue

As we move into spring, I see a number of affiliate's beginning to start or ramp up their ABWK programs. One of the significant concerns that some affiliates are struggling with is how to deal with homes that have lead paint.

Most older homes built before 1970 have some lead paint on them. The lead is usually hidden under a coat or two of latex paint and has leached into the siding as well.

Lead paint does not need to be a problem. If you get your affiliate and site staff certified according to EPA standards it shouldn't be a problem.

At TCHFH, we have been performing lead safe practices for over 15 years with our staff and volunteers. We work closely with our Department of Health (which in many states is the EPA enforcer) and Regional EPA office. We do not test all of our homes but usually assume all have lead on them. When we do test, we are allowed to use the 3M Leadcheck swabs to determine if their is lead on a home.

We perform all the required paperwork, train our volunteers (about 20 minutes on site) and inform our homeowners on lead safety. Check with your state and local laws for disposing of paint chips.

Our biggest concern is keeping children and women who are pregnant away from the site during lead remediation.

If you get certified, perform the required lead safe practices (not as big of a deal as it might seem) and properly train and communicates to all those involved, working with lead should be a non-issue.

Criminal Background Checks - Creating Informed and Successful Family Partnerships

We at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity have begun performing criminal background checks on all of our homeowners. Background checks will be conducted for both potential homebuilding and ABWK families.

We have always been an organization that gives homebuyers and homeowners an opportunity to make fresh starts. We believe that extending a hand of grace and service is at the core of our Christian ministry.

However, we also want to be stewards of the reputation we've built in the community and the brand we've been entrusted with. We want to make sure we know any pertinent information about homeowners that could have the potential diminishing our effectiveness in the community and ultimately hurt our ability to serve and partner with our families.

 Conducting background checks is a recommendation from HFHI. We have used their recommendations as a framework for our policy.

Here is the draft of our criminal background check policy:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B26IjoD-X4sSN19rSktDRTdxeFU/edit?usp=sharing

Risk and Reward - Balancing Concerns of the Head and Heart

Risk is part of any charitable endeavor.  Minimizing risk is an important responsibility of an affiliate as you work to accomplish the Habitat mission. 

The following are some of the main liabilities issue's we've addressed over the years concerning ABWK.

Liability Insurance - We are covered under the same insurance as home building (Lockton).

Volunteers - We use the same waiver as home building. We emphasize some different safety issue's based on the work we are doing on an ABWK project - i.e. ladder safety, lead etc.

Partner families - We have a waiver on our application, a separate homeowner waiver used after a family is accepted into the program and an MOU outlining the work and warranty provided by ABWK.  We also require homeowners to have homeowners insurance as a protection for them.  It is very important to clearly communicate with homeowner families an affiliate's expectations for being involved in the program.

Interior work - It important to have a staff member or a well trained volunteer team leader supervising a handful of volunteers for interior projects.  You may be working with vulnerable adults and it is important that volunteers are well supervised and are communicated with about the importance of being respectful of family situations. 

You can never cover every possible risk in serving homeowners.  However, you can provide reasonable due diligence with sound policy and procedures.  In 12 years and dealing with thousands of homeowners we have never had a legal issue (a few hallow threats) with a homeowner or volunteer.  Remember to consult with a trusted local attorney on all possible legal issue's.  abwk habitat for humanity

It is also important not let fear paralyze your ability to act with compassion toward your neighbors.  Make compassionate judgements as you evaluate how you will serve your community through A Brush with Kindness.