§4852a Task force on lead-based paint hazard reduction and financing

Summary

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, working with the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, must create a task force to suggest ways to get more money and effort into finding and fixing lead paint hazards in private homes and rental housing. The group must include representatives from HUD and other federal housing and mortgage agencies, the EPA and Veterans Affairs, building trade unions and contractors, landlords and tenants, primary lenders and private mortgage insurers, single- and multi-family housing interests, nonprofit housing developers, property liability insurers, public housing agencies, low-income housing advocates, lead-poisoning prevention experts, and community groups from areas with many rental units. The task force must recommend how to finance and support lead hazard evaluation and repairs, change underwriting, loan products, and appraisals to address lead safety, make inspections or risk checks more routine when making new mortgages, update federal guidance and education on lead poisoning prevention, clarify landlord and lender legal responsibilities and explore “safe harbor” protections, expand liability insurance and victim compensation options, and consider requiring risk assessments and tenant notice for rental housing. Members will not receive federal pay for serving.