HUD Rules Bring Big Changes

On September 15, 1999, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development adopted rules requiring the use of detailed work practices and training for those who implement those practices. 

The rules go into effect on September 15, 2000. They protect young children from lead-based paint hazards in housing that is financially assisted by the Federal government or sold by the government. It applies only to housing that was built before 1978 — when lead-based paint was banned nationwide for consumer use.

Virtually anyone working on housing covered by the rule must either have HUD approved training or be supervised by an abatement supervisor licensed by the State (or in some cases EPA). In many cases, a state-licensed risk assessor or lead-based paint inspector must visit the housing before work begins. And they must visit after the work is complete to conduct dust clearance testing. A trained and/or licensed clearance technician may do the clearance work in some cases.

Help for Indiana operations: On February 29, 2000, the Indiana Housing and Finance Authority sent a notice to recipients of its HOME and Community Development Block Grants. The notice alerts the recipients to the upcoming Sept. 15, 2000 deadline to follow new federal Housing and Urban Development rules.

To help, during the next six months, IHFA is offering free risk assessor and abatement supervisor training to its recipients. Call Mark Young at 800-872-0371 or 317-233-7777 for details

Maintenance Worker and Clearance Technician Training: IKE and the Environmental Management Institute are teaming up to develop a 4-hour training course for maintenance workers. The goal is to have this training approved by HUD — all other HUD-approved training is two days long.