June 6, 2017
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the second-annual National Healthy Homes Month. According to a press release at the FHA/HUD official site, “Launched by HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH), National Healthy Homes Month 2017 will focus national attention on ways to keep people of all ages safe and healthy in their homes.”
That focus includes an emphasis on lead paint. According to the HUD official site, National Healthy Homes Month is themed, “Just What the Doctor Ordered,” and put the spotlight on “the vital role that pediatricians and the health community play in healthy homes education” The HUD press release observes that due to lead poisoning and other home-connected health risks, creating a healthier home environment should be a top priority.
“National Healthy Homes Month serves as an important educational call to action,” said Jon L. Gant, Director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, who was quoted in the HUD press release. He adds, “Providing families with the resources they need to keep their homes safe from potential health hazards such as lead-based paint and pests helps them to create the healthiest family and home possible.”
There are activities and events scheduled for the entire month of June, but homeowners can start in the quest for a healthier home simply by downloading an app made available from HUD-the Healthy Homes App. It is available for download via Apple iTunes and Google Play.
The FHA has strict appraisal requirements for homes which may contain lead paint, and the corrections required for such properties is clearly spelled out in the FHA Single Family Home Loan Handbook, HUD 4000.1. Such requirements include a seller’s disclosure in cases where lead paint is known to exist in property being purchased with an FHA home loan. Borrowers are urged to become fully informed about the dangers of lead paint and what conditions may require controlling such hazards.
Joe Wallace has been specializing in military and personal finance topics since 1995. His work has appeared on Air Force Television News, The Pentagon Channel, ABC and a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year Air Force veteran and a member of the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association. He was Managing editor for www.valoans.com for (8) years and is currently the Associate Editor for FHANewsblog.com.
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