EPA and HUD Protect Newark Housing Authority Residents from Lead Paint

Newark, N.J. - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have reached concurrent settlements with the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) in New Jersey to correct violations of federal lead-based paint regulations and improve protections for residents and staff. The agreements require NHA to conduct lead testing and abatement where lead-based paint is found across the housing authority's 11 pre-1978 properties with a total of about 5,500 residents. In addition, NHA must comply with lead hazard disclosure practices, improve staff training and ensure safer renovations. EPA's settlement assesses a $170,000 penalty, which EPA will waive if NHA takes the actions necessary to comply with the federal lead requirements. The waiver will help ensure NHA's ability to direct its limited funds towards tenants' housing needs. HUD's settlement assesses a civil penalty of $7,500. 

"We have made progress in lowering children's blood lead levels over the past 50 years, but potential exposures to lead in the home and our environment still present a risk, especially for our children, and settlements like this ensure that we are continuing to address this pathway," said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. "Children are much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of exposure to lead in dust, and our partnership with HUD is critical to protecting them in their homes."

"With over two-thirds of New Jersey's housing stock built before 1980, the risks from lead remain real," said HUD Region II Administrator Jason Loughran. "This agreement ensures that the Newark Housing Authority takes steps to protect residents, especially children, from the harmful dangers of lead exposure. HUD is committed to working alongside EPA to make the homes of American families healthier, safer, and a source of stability."

The settlement follows EPA inspections at the John W. Hyatt Court and Pennington Court properties in Newark. EPA found that NHA did not provide tenants with complete lead hazard disclosures, or ensure renovations were properly done under EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.

To resolve these violations, NHA has agreed to implement corrective actions across all eleven of its housing developments, including:

• Developing and following detailed compliance plans to meet and maintain compliance with the federal Lead Disclosure Rule, the RRP Rule and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule;

• Submitting quarterly reports to EPA and HUD to demonstrate compliance with disclosure requirements for new leases and lease renewals as well as compliance with lead safe work practice standards under the RRP and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule;

• Creating and following a plan for abatements of all lead-based paint building components (interior, exterior, common areas);

• Leading worker training sessions to train and certify NHA staff to perform renovations under the RRP Rule and to educate maintenance staff on lead safe work practice standards in day-to-day operations to protect themselves and residents from lead dust;

• Holding tenant education sessions to educate tenants on the hazards of lead-based paint and methods to minimize potential exposures that tenants can implement in addition to NHA's obligations under the rules;

• Distributing an EPA and HUD approved fact sheet to NHA maintenance staff and contractors on required RRP certifications and a summary of the lead disclosure requirements and lead safe work practices; and

• Posting all written materials for the worker training and tenant education sessions on NHA's website https://www.newarkha.orgExit EPA's website.