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S5455119th CongressWALLET

Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Introduced

Summary

Protect children under age 6 from lead in federally assisted housing. This bill would require fast lead risk checks, a strict 30-day hazard control deadline when hazards are found, emergency relocation without penalties for affected families, and funding to implement the rules.

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  • Families with children under 6: Families could relocate on an emergency basis without placement on waitlists, penalties, or a lapse in assistance to a unit built in 1978 or later or to covered housing with no lead hazards.
  • Housing owners and managers: Owners of covered housing would need to complete initial risk assessments quickly. For tenant-based rental assistance assessments must occur within 15 days after a tenancy approval or lease renewal request and for public or project-based housing within 15 days after a physical inspection. If hazards are found, owners must control them and achieve clearance within 30 days and must provide accessible notice to residents.
  • Federal programs and administration: The definition of covered housing is expanded to include mortgage-insured housing, tenant-based rental assistance under section 8(o), and project-based assistance. The Secretary would issue required regulations within 1 year.

*Authorizes appropriations as necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out these changes.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Emergency rehousing for families with kids

This bill would let a family with a child under 6 relocate immediately if lead hazards were found and not fixed on time. The family would not be put on waitlists, charged penalties, or lose housing assistance. Relocation would have to be to a unit built in 1978 or later or to covered housing with no lead hazards. Relocations would follow the federal relocation law and civil rights rules, and HUD must issue rules within one year to carry this out.

Funding to run lead-safety program

This bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031 to carry out these lead-safety changes. The text does not set dollar amounts. If enacted, actual funding would come from later annual appropriations and would support rulemaking, testing, hazard control, relocation, and administration.

Lead checks and 30-day fixes

This bill would require HUD to issue lead-risk rules within one year. For voucher units, owners would need an initial risk assessment within 15 days after tenancy approval or a lease renewal. For public and project-based assisted units, the test would be within 15 days after a physical inspection. A visual check alone would not be enough. If hazards are found, owners would have to control them and get TSCA-equivalent clearance within 30 days with no extension. Owners would also have to give accessible notice to residents and in common areas. Narrow exceptions apply for recent passed clearances and other specified cases.

Which homes are covered for lead

This bill would define which homes count as "covered housing" for children under age 6. It would include target housing tied to a mortgage-insurance or housing-assistance application. It would also cover units that receive more than $5,000 in project-based federal assistance. The bill would add tenant-based vouchers (section 8(o)) to the programs that can trigger the lead rules. These definitions decide which homes must get lead inspections, fixes, notices, and relocation help for families with young children.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 9/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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