HUD’s Lead-Safe Housing Rule

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a regulation to protect young children from lead-based paint hazards in housing that receives Federal assistance such as AHILP financing. HUD’s Lead-Safe Housing Rule (24 CFR Part 35) and its requirements may apply to your home-repair project, even if there are no children residing in your dwelling.

Depending on the type and cost of the rehabilitation you plan to undertake, you may be required to adhere to the Lead-Safe Housing Rule. If your home was built before 1978 and exhibits chipping/peeling paint OR a painted surface that may be disturbed during the rehabilitation, you likely will need to follow these steps:

• Pre-rehabilitation Lead Testing. Your dwelling requires a Lead-Based Paint Inspection/Risk Assessment. AHILP will hire a PA-Certified Lead-Based Paint Inspector/Risk Assessor to inspect your home for lead hazards. The inspector will schedule an appointment, perform lead testing and prepare a report which will be sent to you.
• Lead Hazard Repair. All lead hazards identified must be repaired by a contractor trained and certified to work with such hazards. If remediation is extensive, you may be required to relocate temporarily.
• Post-rehabilitation Lead Testing. A Lead Clearance Examination will be performed by a PA-Certified Lead-Based Paint Inspector/Risk Assessor to confirm that all identified lead hazards have been remediated.

For more information regarding HUD’s Lead-Safe Housing Rule click here.

For more information on childhood lead poisoning prevention visit the CDC’s website.