Reps. Ellison and Quigley Introduce Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act

Washington – (RealEstateRama) — Late last week, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2016, which would protect children in public housing and federally assisted housing from lead exposure.

Since the enactment of federal lead policies in the 1990’s, lead poisoning rates have fallen dramatically. However, lead poisoning risk continues to disproportionally impact minority and low-income children. In order to address this crisis, Congress must provide more safe and affordable housing. The one in four families who do receive housing assistance often end up living in housing that is affordable, but not safe.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s lead safety regulations are outdated and inconsistent with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) lead-safety recommendations, which established rigorous standards to protect families with children from lead poisoning.

The legislation would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to adopt prevention measures and update its lead regulations to protect children from the risk of lead exposure.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI). Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“We must address the affordable rental housing crisis by providing homes that are both safe and affordable. It is wrong to force families to choose between affordable housing or safe housing,” said Rep. Ellison. “While we have come a long way in reducing lead poisoning, millions of children are still at risk because of outdated regulations and examination techniques. We must provide the resources to allow the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide lead-free homes to America’s children when it updates its lead regulations to current standards.”

“Congress must do all it can to ensure safe, affordable housing is available without the threat of lead exposure to children and families,” said Rep. Quigley. “I’m proud to introduce the Lead-Safe Housing Kids Act with Senators Durbin and Menendez and Representatives Ellison, Lawrence and Kildee. The bill better protects families and children from lead poisoning by prohibiting woefully inadequate visual inspections as an acceptable means of detecting lead. Additionally, this legislation would require HUD to create a process for families to relocate on an emergency basis if a lead hazard is identified in the home. It is the duty of Congress to ensure our lead regulations are up to date and consistent with modern detection methods so that we can better protect children from the harmful consequences of exposure.”

“Sadly, the lead crisis in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, is not an anomaly — it is an extreme example of what could happen in cities across the country if we fail to make the necessary investments in our infrastructure and affordable housing,” said Rep. Kildee. “We must take immediate action to prevent other instances of lead poisoning. Lead is a dangerous metal whose effects on people, particularly young children, are irreversible. Congress has it in its power to act and better protect our kids from lead exposure.”

“I am proud to cosponsor this legislation which would ensure that children in public housing are protected from lead exposure,” said Rep. Lawrence. “The crisis in Flint, Michigan — where thousands of children were exposed to drastically unsafe levels of lead — has exposed a major crisis in our nation. The rise of lead poisoning, particularly among low-income and minority children, is a national embarrassment. The Lead-Safe Housing Kids Act of 2016 will address this shameful situation by updating the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s antiquated standards on lead poisoning in public and low-income housing, which is a critical step in the right direction.”