by Brianna Crandall — April 15, 2013—Building owners, FMs and property managers with multifamily properties in their management portfolio may want to take note that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has taken significant steps towards eliminating radon exposure in renter-occupied homes by issuing two new policies that will incorporate radon testing and mitigation into HUD programs to help prevent some of the estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths that radon causes in the United States every year.
HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing’s new policy (see Mortgagee Letter 2013-07 and Housing Notice 2013-03) requires radon testing and, if applicable, mitigation for most new construction, conversion and substantial rehabilitation projects insured by HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA), as well as most FHA-insured refinance transactions. Radon testing and mitigation is not required for refinance projects located in low-risk areas, or if a certified radon professional determines that radon risk is sufficiently low for the project, notes HUD.
“We are confident that this policy will effectively mitigate the risks of radon exposure for residents of FHA-insured multifamily housing in a sensible and cost-effective way,” said Marie Head, Deputy Assistant Secretary of HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs.
Radon is a priority of the Federal Radon Action Plan, developed by a federal government interagency team chaired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “This invisible air hazard in homes is preventable and there are straight-forward, low-cost solutions to protect families against radon risks,” said Janet McCabe, EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. “These new HUD policies will better protect thousands of Americans in the years ahead.”
Notice PIH 2013-06 (HA) published by HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing informs Public Housing Agencies about the risks from radon exposure, and points out that the best way to mitigate radon is to prevent it from ever entering a building. The Notice strongly encourages Public Housing Agencies to proactively plan and complete radon testing and mitigation.
“These two HUD Offices have started a policy movement we hope all owners of multifamily housing will consider,” said Jon L. Gant, Director of HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.
