Audits: HUD Is Failing To Protect Children From Lead Paint Poisoning
Source: Talking Points Memo
Two new reports found that HUD didn’t properly oversee inspections or removal of lead-based paint in public housing complexes across the country.
By Molly Parker ProPublica | June 22, 2018 12:29 pm
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development failed to protect hundreds of thousands of children living in subsidized housing from potential exposure to lead paint and lead poisoning, according to a pair of recent federal reports.
The reports describe a hodgepodge reporting system within HUD, as well as disjointed communication between the federal agency and the local housing authorities it oversees. Cases of children poisoned by lead are not always identified and followed up on in a timely manner. And documentation of lead-based paint inspections and efforts to remove hazards are often missing, incomplete or not routed to the right place, according to the reports by the HUD Office of Inspector General and U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Experts say these shortcomings in HUD’s oversight systems have existed for years with little to no consequence to government officials — but potentially devastating ones for vulnerable children.
The audits come as housing authorities in Southern Illinois and New York City face federal accusations of failing to inspect for lead-based paint and to remove it or clean it up where it’s found, while falsely telling HUD they had done so.
Read more: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/hud-failure-protect-children-lead-paint-poisoning
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There is anecdotal evidence that our concerted effort to eliminate lead poisoning has resulted in remarkably lower levels of violent crime over the years.
Who is most disproportionately effected by lead levels in subsidized housing? 
