[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40250-40259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18876]



[[Page 40249]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part IX





Department of Housing and Urban Development





_______________________________________________________________________



Notice of Funding Availability for the HUD Healthy Homes Initiative; 
Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 141 / Friday, July 23, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 40250]]



DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4516-N-01]


Notice of Funding Availability for the HUD Healthy Homes 
Initiative

AGENCY: Office of the Director of Lead Hazard Control, Office of the 
Secretary, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the Healthy Homes 
Initiative is to demonstrate cost effective, preventive measures to 
correct multiple safety and health hazards in the home environment 
which produce serious diseases and injuries in children.
    Available Funds. Approximately $3.5 million.
    Eligible Applicants. Research institutions, not-for-profit 
institutions, and for-profit firms located in the U.S., State and local 
governments, and Federally-recognized Indian Tribes. For-profit firms 
are not allowed to include a fee in the cost proposal (i.e., no profit 
can be made from the project). Federal agencies and federal employees 
are not eligible to apply for this program.
    Application Deadline. September 23, 1999.
    Match. None.
    If you are interested in applying for funding under this 
initiative, please review the following additional information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I. Application Due Date, Application Kits, Further Information, and 
Technical Assistance

    Application Due Date. Submit an original and four copies of your 
completed application on or before 12:00 midnight Eastern Time on 
September 23, 1999.
    Address for Submitting Applications. For Mailed Applications. The 
address for mailed applications is: Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, Office of Lead Hazard Control, 451 Seventh Street, SW, 
Room P3206, Washington, D.C. 20410.
    For Overnight/Express Mail or Hand Carried Applications. The 
address for applications that are hand carried or sent via overnight 
delivery is: HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control, Suite 3206, 490 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, D.C. 20024.
    For Application Kits. You may obtain an application kit from the 
HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control at the address shown above. When 
requesting an application kit, please refer to ``Healthy Homes 
Initiative NOFA.'' Please be sure to provide your name, address 
(including zip code), and telephone number (including area code). 
Alternatively, you may obtain an application kit by downloading it from 
the internet at http://www.hud.gov.
    For Further Information Contact. Ms. Ellen Taylor, Planning and 
Standards Division, Office of Lead Hazard Control, at the address 
above; telephone (202) 755-1785, extension 116, or Ms. Karen Williams, 
Grants Officer, extension 118 (these are not toll-free numbers). 
Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may access the above telephone 
numbers via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay 
Service at 1-800-877-8339.

II. Amount Allocated

    Approximately $3.5 million will be available to fund demonstration 
projects in FY 1999. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis 
following evaluation of all proposals according to the Rating Factors 
described in section V(B). HUD anticipates that approximately 3 to 5 
grants will be awarded, ranging from approximately $250,000 to 
approximately $2,500,000.

III. Program Description, Eligible Applicants, and Eligible 
Activities

(A) Program Description

    (1) Background. In the FY 1999 Budget, HUD proposed a Healthy Homes 
Initiative (sometimes referred to as the ``Initiative'' or ``HHI'') 
that would protect children from housing conditions responsible for 
multiple diseases and injuries. The Initiative departs from the more 
traditional approach of attempting to correct one hazard at a time 
(e.g., asbestos, radon).
    The Healthy Homes Initiative builds upon HUD's existing housing-
related health and safety issues, including lead hazard control, 
building structural safety, electrical safety, and fire protection to 
address multiple childhood diseases and injuries related to housing in 
a more coordinated fashion. A coordinated effort is feasible because a 
limited number of building deficiencies contribute to many hazards. 
Substantial savings are possible using this approach, because separate 
visits to a home by an inspector, public health nurse, or outreach 
worker if independently done can add significant cost to efforts to 
eliminate hazards.
    In addition to deficiencies in basic housing facilities that may 
impact health, changes in the U.S. housing stock and more sophisticated 
epidemiological methods and biomedical research have led to the 
identification of new and often more subtle health hazards in the 
residential environment. While such hazards will tend to be found 
disproportionately in housing that is substandard (e.g. structural 
problems, lack of adequate heat, etc.), such housing-related 
environmental hazards may also exist in housing that is otherwise of 
good quality. Appendix A briefly describes the housing-associated 
health and injury hazards HUD considers key targets for intervention. 
Appendix B lists the references that serve as the basis for the 
information provided in this NOFA.

(B) Healthy Homes Activities

    HUD has identified four categories for grouping Healthy Homes 
activities. These are: (1) Excess moisture reduction, (2) dust control, 
(3) ventilation and control of toxins, and (4) education. These four 
activities are described in this section.
    (1) Excess moisture reduction: Moisture problems are evident in 
many homes, more so in older urban areas and communities with humid 
climates. While high moisture levels alone are not sufficient to 
necessarily result in health hazards, it is a common precursor. 
Moisture problems can lead to paint deterioration (lead poisoning), 
mold formation (pulmonary hemosiderosis in infants), higher 
concentrations of dust mites, cockroach infestation, asthma and 
allergen sensitization, and structural hazards associated with rot and 
rust (injuries). In a 1995 study of pulmonary hemosiderosis in 
Cleveland, Ohio, toxic molds were identified in 65% of homes within the 
target areas, compared to a national prevalence rate of 3%. The disease 
in infants associated with this exposure (infant pulmonary hemorrhage) 
had a 30% mortality rate. Nationally, this mold-related disease appears 
to have a low prevalence, but, for those children who contract this 
disease, a very high mortality rate. There is also evidence that 
certain molds can be important triggers of asthma in children, a 
disease which has seen a 160% increase in the past fifteen years in 
children under five. In addition, the presence of moisture problems is 
a risk factor for respiratory illnesses and symptoms, especially in 
children.
    Structural problems can allow moisture intrusion, as well as create 
safety and fire hazards and provide access for rodent and insect pests. 
Structural defects can result from improper construction, poor 
maintenance, or natural hazards. Holes in floors are present in more 
than one million U.S. homes. Open cracks or holes in walls (four 
million homes) and broken plaster or peeling paint (three

[[Page 40251]]

million homes) are even more prevalent. Moisture problems require a 
variety of corrective interventions, ranging from simple patching to 
correction of basic drainage.
    (2) Dust Control. Dust sources, sinks and traps can serve as a 
vehicle for a variety of hazardous agents, such as lead, allergens, and 
pesticide residues. Settled and airborne dust can become problems where 
surface conditions hinder cleaning, such as rough or porous surfaces. 
Dust is the principal pathway through which children are exposed to 
lead-based paint and mold and is also an exposure route for allergens, 
dust mites, and some pesticides. In young children, transmission occurs 
principally through normal hand-to-mouth contact. Some dust traps are 
relatively easily addressed, for example, the removal of carpets and 
sealing of floor surfaces. Dust remediation often consists of removal 
by using special vacuum systems, and the creation of smooth and 
cleanable surfaces, as well as controlling dust sources, such as sinks 
(e.g., draperies), sources such as paint and exterior bare soil, and 
unsafe work practices (uncontrolled renovation). New household vacuums 
with dust sensors are now available on the retail market and warrant 
study regarding their effectiveness in house dust control. Another key 
research need involves the sink and filtering action of carpets, that 
is, the way in which they attract, trap and release dust and other 
pollutants. Low-cost dust control methods are available and may cost as 
little as $250 per unit.
    (3) Ventilation and control of toxins. Ventilation can be either a 
problem or an intervention. Proper ventilation supplies adequate oxygen 
and removes carbon dioxide and other pollutants, such as allergens. 
Virtually no home ventilation system actively supplies clean fresh air; 
instead, infiltration through building ``leakage'' is the norm, 
although tighter building envelopes and better insulation typically 
reduce fresh air incursion. In some climates, increasing ventilation 
can result in increased moisture problems. Poorly-designed systems can 
contribute to dispersal of mold, soil gases (such as radon) and other 
contaminants into the living space. Carbon monoxide exposures can occur 
through combustion spillage caused by airflow reversal in chimneys or 
use of unvented heaters or appliances. Carbon monoxide alarms and 
airflow analysis that could detect dangerous air movements are rare in 
U.S. housing. Improperly-maintained or inadequately vented heating and 
cooking appliances may introduce hazardous gases and particulate matter 
into the living environment and are also related to fire hazards. 
Building materials, cleaning products, and appliances can emit gases 
with irritant, allergic, or other toxic properties. Ozone generators, 
for example, are known to increase indoor ozone with no positive impact 
on air quality.
    (4) Education. Education is an important part of most of the 
interventions that will be implemented. Occupants can be encouraged to 
use checklists, such as that provided in HUD's ``Danger in the Home'' 
brochure, to identify and correct hazards, and create a safer and 
healthier home environment. Occupant behavior can be modified using 
prompting tools that can be especially effective in preventing injuries 
or illnesses at low cost ($100-$200 per unit). For example, provision 
of a hot water thermometer (as a ``prompting device'') is known to 
result in reductions in scald injuries, because hot water heater 
temperatures are lowered and residents know to keep them lowered. 
Education and outreach efforts also need to be targeted to multiple 
audiences, such as residential construction contractors, health care 
deliverers and housing specialists.

(C) Baseline Assessment and Initiation of Projects

    Through the Healthy Homes Initiative, HUD will initiate the 
baseline assessment of available risk reduction techniques and research 
on the control of key hazards described in Appendix A, and initiate 
projects to promote implementation of techniques demonstrated to be 
successful. Grantees will perform research and demonstrate and assess 
interventions addressing multiple housing-related problems affecting 
the health of children and develop and disseminate interventions 
appropriate to residential environments.
    The main tasks to be addressed by these projects include the 
following:
    (1) Identification of homes where intervention would be 
appropriate.
    (2) Identification and evaluation of effective methods of hazard 
abatement and risk reduction.
    (3) Development of appropriately-scaled and efficient intervention 
strategies.
    (4) Selection of efficient strategies for evaluating intervention 
effectiveness.
    (5) Development of local capacity to operate sustainable programs 
to prevent and control toxic housing-based hazards, especially in low 
and very-low income residences.
    HUD has decided to initiate the HHI projects primarily by issuing 
competitively awarded grants this fiscal year. On February 26, 1999, 
HUD issued a Notice of Funds Availability targeted at mold and moisture 
control in inner city housing. That NOFA was published in the Federal 
Register as part of HUD's FY 1999 SuperNOFA (see 64 FR 9719-9724). The 
broader projects funded though this NOFA, published today, will allow 
HUD to assess whether and how well mold and moisture control can be 
integrated into other hazard control efforts. (This Notice, and the 
application kit, also appears on HUD's Web site, at www.hud.gov/lea.) 
HUD will evaluate proposals based on the elements described below. 
Awards are expected to be made by September, 1999.

(D) Project Elements

    Project elements include:
    (1) Pilot-testing and implementing housing assessment, maintenance, 
renovation and construction techniques to identify and correct housing-
related illness and injury risk factors.
    (2) Developing and delivering public education to prevent both 
emerging and well-recognized housing-related childhood diseases and 
injuries, and promote the use of identified solutions.
    (3) Conducting research that evaluates the effectiveness of housing 
interventions and public education campaigns, and provides the 
knowledge base for recommending future use of the most cost-effective 
strategies.

(E) Goals and Objectives

    The primary goal of this program is to protect children by 
supporting one or more demonstration projects employing cost-effective, 
replicable interventions to correct safety and health hazards in the 
home environment capable of producing serious diseases and injuries in 
children.
    Objectives include the following:
    (1) Developing a cost-effective protocol for identifying homes that 
are candidates for interventions, identifying hazards in these homes, 
and screening out homes where structural or other condition factors 
(e.g., cost accessibility) make interventions infeasible or 
impractical.
    (2) Developing a flexible set of intervention strategies that take 
into account the range of conditions likely to be encountered in older 
housing, and the need to maximize the number of housing units that 
receive an intervention.
    (3) Developing an efficient strategy for evaluating the 
effectiveness of interventions in preventing disease and injury in 
children.
    (4) Building local capacity to develop a sustainable program that 
will continue

[[Page 40252]]

to prevent and, where they occur, minimize and control housing--based 
hazards in low- and very-low income residences when HUD funding is 
exhausted.
    (5) Affirmatively furthering fair housing and environmental 
justice.
    (6) Mobilizing public and private resources, involving cooperation 
among all levels of government, the private sector, and community-based 
organizations to develop the most promising, cost-effective methods for 
identifying and controlling housing-based hazards.
    (7) Integrating safe work practices into housing maintenance, 
repair, and improvements.
    (8) To the greatest extent feasible, promoting job training, 
employment, and other economic opportunities for low-income and 
minority residents and businesses which are owned by and/or employ low-
income and minority residents as defined in 24 CFR 135.5.

(F) Eligible Activities

    You will be afforded considerable latitude in designing and 
implementing the interventions to prevent or correct safety and health 
hazards in the home environment capable of producing serious diseases 
and injuries in children. However, in developing a strategy, you should 
use all reasonably available sources of information on controlling 
housing-based hazards in buildings and protecting workers and occupants 
during and after the intervention process. HUD is interested in 
promoting housing intervention approaches that result in the reduction 
of health threats for the maximum number of residents, and in 
particular low-income children, and that demonstrate replicable 
techniques which are cost-effective and efficient.
    The following direct activities and support activities are eligible 
under this grant program.
    (1) Direct Project Elements (activities conducted by you and any 
sub-recipients):
    (a) Performing evaluations of eligible housing to determine the 
presence of housing-based hazards (e.g., mold growth, unvented 
appliances, exposed steam pipes or radiators, damaged lead-based paint) 
through the use of generally accepted testing procedures.
    (b) Conducting medical examinations of young children for 
conditions caused or exacerbated by exposure to hazards where this is 
considered essential to your project, and there are no alternative 
sources to cover these costs.
    (c) Conducting housing interventions to remediate existing housing-
based hazards and address conditions that could result in their 
recurrence. Any lead hazard evaluation and control work shall be 
conducted by certified performers in accordance with the HUD Guidelines 
for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing 
(``Guidelines'') and other applicable regulations.
    (d) Carrying out temporary relocation of families and individuals 
during the period in which intervention is conducted and until the time 
the affected unit receives clearance for reoccupancy. Residents so 
relocated should be guaranteed the choice of returning to the unit 
after the intervention.
    (e) Performing medical testing recommended by a physician or 
applicable occupational or public health agency for individuals in 
hazardous conditions and environmental sampling to protect the health 
of the intervention workers, supervisors, and contractors.
    (f) Undertaking housing rehabilitation activities that are 
specifically required to carry out effective control of housing-based 
hazards, and without which the intervention could not be completed and 
maintained. Grant funds under this program may also be used to control 
immediate lead-based paint hazards.
    (g) Conducting clearance testing and analysis for lead, mold, 
carbon monoxide and/or other toxins as appropriate, with respect to 
generally accepted standards or criteria, or where not available, other 
appropriate levels justified in conjunction with the project.
    (h) Carrying out architectural, engineering and work specification 
development and other construction management services necessary to, 
and in direct support of, activities to control housing-based hazards 
and remediate existing hazards.
    (i) Providing training on safe maintenance practices to homeowners, 
renters, painters, remodelers, and housing maintenance staff working in 
low- or very-low income housing.
    (j) Providing cleaning supplies for hazard intervention and hazard 
control to community/neighborhood-based organizations for use by 
homeowners and tenants in low income housing, or to such homeowners, 
and tenants directly.
    (k) Conducting general or targeted community awareness or education 
programs on environmental health and safety hazards. This activity 
would include training on safe maintenance and renovation practices, 
among other topics, and further fair housing and environmental justice 
goals. It would also include making materials available, upon request, 
in alternative formats for persons with disabilities (e.g., Braille, 
audio, large type), and in languages other than English that are common 
in the community, whenever possible.
    (l) Securing liability insurance for hazard intervention and hazard 
evaluation and control activities to be performed.
    (m) Supporting data collection, analysis, and evaluation of project 
activities. This activity is separate from administrative costs.
    (n) Conducting applied research activities directed at 
demonstration of cost-effective evaluation and intervention methods for 
preventing housing-based hazards.
    (o) Presenting research findings at a scientific conference in each 
project year following the first year of activity.
    (p) Maintaining a registry (updated at least monthly) of housing 
units in which housing-based hazards were not found during evaluation, 
and those in which such problems and hazards have been controlled. 
Units on the registry should be affirmatively marketed to families with 
young children and such families should be given preference for 
occupancy when they are vacant.
    (q) Preparing quarterly progress reports, interim and final 
research reports, and an overall final grant report detailing 
activities, findings, conclusions and recommendations, at the 
conclusion of grant activities.
    (2) Support Elements.
    (a) Your administrative costs.
    (b) Program planning and management costs of sub-grantees and other 
sub-recipients.

(G) Ineligible Activities

    You cannot use program funds for the following:
    (1) Purchase of real property.
    (2) Purchase or lease of equipment having a per unit cost in excess 
of $5,000, unless prior written approval is obtained from HUD.
    (3) Medical treatment costs.

IV. Program Requirements

    Applicants are subject to the following requirements:

(A) Threshold Requirements--Compliance with Fair Housing and Civil 
Rights Laws

    With the exception of Federally recognized Indian tribes, all 
applicants and their subrecipients must comply with all Fair Housing 
and civil rights laws, statutes, regulations and executive orders as 
enumerated in 24 CFR 5.105(a). If you are a Federally recognized Indian 
tribe, you must comply with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, section 
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Indian Civil Rights Act.

[[Page 40253]]

    If you, the applicant--
    (1) Have been charged with a systemic violation of the Fair Housing 
Act by the Secretary alleging ongoing discrimination;
    (2) Are a defendant in a Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the 
Department of Justice alleging an ongoing pattern or practice of 
discrimination; or
    (3) Have received a letter of noncompliance findings under Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
or Section 109 of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act 
of 1974--
    HUD will not rank and rate your application under this NOFA if the 
charge, lawsuit, or letter of findings has not been resolved to the 
satisfaction of the Department before the application deadline stated 
in the individual program NOFA. HUD's decision regarding whether a 
charge, lawsuit, or a letter of findings has been satisfactorily 
resolved will be based upon whether appropriate actions have been taken 
to address allegations of ongoing discrimination in the policies or 
practices involved in the charge, lawsuit, or letter of findings.

(B) Additional Nondiscrimination Requirements

    You, the applicant, and your subrecipients, must comply with the 
Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX of the Education 
Amendments Act of 1972.
    (C) Other Requirements
    (1) Budgeting. Administrative Costs. There is a 10% maximum for 
administrative costs. The application kit contains specific information 
on allowable administrative costs.
    (2) Period of Performance. The period of performance cannot exceed 
36 months.
    (3) Coastal Barrier Resources Act. Pursuant to the Coastal Barrier 
Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501), funds may not be used for properties 
located in the Coastal Barrier Resources System.
    (4) Flood Disaster Protection Act. Under the Flood Disaster 
Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4001-4128), funds may not be used for 
construction, reconstruction, repair or improvement of a building or 
mobile home which is located in an area identified by the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as having special flood hazards 
unless:
    (i) The community in which the area is situated is participating in 
the National Flood Insurance Program in accordance with the applicable 
regulations (44 CFR parts 59-79), or less than a year has passed since 
FEMA notification regarding these hazards; and
    (ii) Where the community is participating in the National Flood 
Insurance Program, flood insurance on the property is obtained in 
accordance with section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act (42 
U.S.C. 4012a(a)). You are responsible for assuring that flood insurance 
is obtained and maintained for the appropriate amount and term.
    (5) National Historic Preservation Act. The National Historic 
Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470) (NHPA) and the regulations at 
36 CFR part 800 apply to the mold intervention and related hazard 
control activities that are undertaken pursuant to this program. HUD 
and the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation have developed an 
optional Model Agreement for use by grantees and State Historic 
Preservation Officers in carrying out any lead hazard control 
activities under this program.
    (6) Waste Disposal. Waste disposal will be handled according to the 
requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration 
(OSHA) (e.g., 29 CFR part 1910 and/or 1926, as applicable), the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (e.g., 40 CFR parts 61, 260-282, 
300-374, and/or 700-799, as applicable), the Department of 
Transportation (e.g., 49 CFR parts 171-177), and/or appropriate State 
or local regulatory agency(ies). Disposal of wastes from intervention 
activities that contain lead-based paint but are not classified as 
hazardous will be handled in accordance with the HUD Guidelines.
    (7) Worker Protection Procedures. You must comply with the 
requirements of OSHA (e.g., 29 CFR part 1910 and/or 1926, as 
applicable), or the State or local occupational safety and health 
regulations, whichever are most stringent.
    (8) Written Policies and Procedures. You must have written policies 
and procedures for all phases of intervention, including evaluation, 
development of specifications, financing, occupant relocation, 
independent project inspection, and clearance testing (e.g., for mold, 
lead, carbon monoxide or other hazards, as applicable). You and all 
your subcontractors, sub-recipients, and their contractors must comply 
with these policies and procedures.
    (9) Continued Availability of Safe Housing to Low-Income Families. 
Units in which housing-based hazards have been controlled under this 
program shall be occupied by and/or continue to be available to low-
income residents.
    (10) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. If you are a successful 
applicant, you will have a duty to affirmatively further fair housing. 
You, the applicant, should include in your application or work plan the 
specific steps that you will take to:
    (i) Address the elimination of impediments to fair housing that 
were identified in the jurisdiction's Analysis of Impediments (AI) to 
Fair Housing Choice;
    (ii) Remedy discrimination in housing; or
    (iii) Promote fair housing rights and fair housing choice.
    (11) Economic Opportunities for Low and Very Low-Income Persons 
(Section 3). Recipients of assistance must comply with section 3 of the 
Housing and Urban development Act of 1968, 12 U.S.C. 1701u (Economic 
Opportunities for Low and Very Low-Income Persons in Connection with 
Assisted Projects) and the HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 135, 
including the reporting requirements of subpart E. Section 3 requires 
recipients to ensure that, to the greatest extent feasible, training, 
employment and other economic opportunities will be directed to (1) low 
and very low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of 
government assistance for housing, and (2) business concerns which 
provide economic opportunities to low and very low income persons.
    (12) Data collection and provision. You must collect, maintain and 
provide to HUD the data necessary to document the various approaches 
used to evaluate and control housing-based hazards, including 
evaluation and control methods, building conditions, medical and 
familial information (with confidentiality of individually-identifiable 
information ensured) in order to determine the effectiveness and 
relative cost of these methods.
    (13) Certifications and Assurances. Certification forms are 
included in the application kit. These forms include:
    (i) An assurance in accordance with 24 CFR 50.3(h) that the 
applicant will carry out its responsibilities regarding HUD's 
environmental review.
    (ii) A certification of compliance with the Uniform Relocation 
Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, and the 
implementing regulations at 49 CFR part 24; and HUD Handbook 1378 
(Tenant Assistance, Relocation and Real Property Acquisition).
    (iii) An assurance that the applicant's financial management system 
meets the standards for fund control and accountability described in 24 
CFR 85.20 and 84.21.
    (iv) An assurance that any pre-intervention and clearance 
evaluation for lead, and lead hazard abatement will be conducted by 
certified performers.

[[Page 40254]]

    (v) An assurance that project funds obtained through this NOFA will 
not replace existing resources dedicated to any ongoing project.
    (vi) Assurance that human research subjects will be protected from 
research risks in conformance with the Common Rule (Federal Policy for 
the Protection of Human Subjects, codified by HUD at 24 CFR part 60).
    (vii) Certification that the applicant will comply with the 
requirements of the Fair Housing Act, title VI of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age 
Discrimination Act of 1975, and will affirmatively further fair 
housing. Federally recognized Indian tribes must certify that they will 
comply with the requirements of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Indian Civil 
Rights Act.
    (14) Davis-Bacon Act. The Davis-Bacon Act does not apply to this 
program. However, if program funds are used in conjunction with other 
Federal programs in which Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates apply, then 
Davis-Bacon provisions would apply to the extent required under the 
other Federal programs.

V. Application Selection Process

(A) Rating and Ranking

    HUD intends to fund the highest ranked application(s) within the 
limits of funding. Once available funds have been allocated to meet the 
requested or negotiated amounts of the top eligible applicant(s), HUD 
reserves the right, in successive order, to offer any residual amount 
as partial funding to the next eligible applicant provided HUD, in its 
sole judgment, is satisfied that the residual amount is sufficient to 
support a viable, though reduced effort. In the event that HUD commits 
an error that, when corrected, would result in the selection of an 
otherwise eligible applicant, HUD may select that applicant when 
sufficient funds become available.
    (1) Negotiation. After HUD has rated and ranked all applications 
and has made selections, HUD may require that all winners participate 
in negotiations to determine the specific terms of the grant agreement 
and budget. In cases where HUD cannot successfully conclude 
negotiations with a selected applicant or a selected applicant fails to 
provide HUD with requested information, an award will not be made to 
that applicant. In this instance, HUD may offer an award to the next 
highest ranking applicant, and proceed with negotiations with the next 
highest ranking applicant.
    (2) Adjustments to Funding. HUD reserves the right to fund less 
than the full amount requested in your application to ensure the fair 
distribution of the funds and to ensure that the purposes of a specific 
program are met. HUD may choose not to fund any portion of your 
application that is not eligible for funding under statutory or 
regulatory requirements, or which do not meet the requirements of this 
NOFA or which may duplicate other funded programs or activities.
    (B) Factors for Award Used to Evaluate and Rate Applications
    This section provides the factors for rating and ranking your 
application and the maximum points for each factor. The application kit 
provides additional instructions for responding to these factors. The 
maximum number of points to be awarded is 102.
    (1) Bonus Points. This NOFA provides for the award of up to two 
bonus points for eligible activities/projects that the applicant 
proposes to be located in high performing federally designated 
Empowerment Zones (EZs) or Enterprise Communities (ECs). To be eligible 
to receive the two bonus points, you must certify that the proposed 
activities/projects: (a) Will be located in a Federally designated 
Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community and will serve residents of 
the EZ/EC; and (b) are consistent with the strategic plan of the EZ/EC. 
If you provide this certification and HUD determines that the area is a 
high performing EZ/EC, you will be awarded the two points. A listing of 
the high performing federally designated EZs/ECs are available from the 
SuperNOFA Information Center, or through the HUD web site on the 
Internet at http://www.HUD.gov, as well as in the Federal Register.
    (2) Court-Ordered Consideration. For any application submitted by 
the City of Dallas, Texas, for funds under this NOFA for which the City 
of Dallas is eligible to apply, HUD will consider the extent to which 
the strategies or plans in the city's application or applications will 
be used to eradicate the vestiges of racial segregation in the Dallas 
Housing Authority's low income housing programs. The City of Dallas 
should address the effect, if any, that vestiges of racial segregation 
in Dallas Housing Authority's low income housing programs have on 
potential participants in the programs covered by this NOFA, and 
identify proposed actions for remedying those vestiges. HUD may add up 
to 2 points to the score based on this consideration. This special 
consideration results from an order of the U.S. District Court for the 
Northern District of Texas, Dallas, Division. (This Section V(B)(2) is 
limited to applications submitted by the City of Dallas.)
    (3) Five Rating Factors. The five rating factors by which your 
application will be evaluated are as follows:
Rating Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant and Relevant Organizational 
Experience (20 Points)
    This factor addresses your organizational capacity necessary to 
successfully implement your proposed activities in a timely manner. The 
rating of you or your staff includes any community-based organizations, 
sub-contractors, consultants, sub-recipients, and members of consortia 
that are firmly committed to your project. In rating this factor HUD 
will consider:
    (1) Your recent, relevant and successful demonstrated experience in 
undertaking eligible program activities. You must describe the 
knowledge and experience of the proposed overall project director and 
day-to-day program manager in planning and managing large and complex 
interdisciplinary programs, especially those involving housing 
rehabilitation, public health, or environmental programs. In your 
narrative response for this factor, you should include information on 
your program staff, their experience, commitment to the program, and 
position titles. Resumes of up to three (3) pages each and position 
descriptions for up to three personnel in addition to the project 
director and program manager, and a clearly delineated organizational 
chart for your project must be included as an appendix. Copies of job 
announcements (including salary range) should be included for any key 
positions that are currently vacant. Indicate the percentage of time 
that key personnel will devote to your project and any salary costs to 
be paid by funds from this program. Include descriptions of the 
experience and qualifications of subcontractors and consultants.
    (2) Your previous experience in reducing or eliminating housing-
based hazards (if any).
    (3) Whether you have sufficient personnel or will be able to 
quickly retain qualified experts or professionals to begin your 
proposed program immediately and to perform your proposed activities in 
a timely and effective fashion. Describe how principal components of 
your agency will participate in or support your project. You should 
thoroughly describe capacity, as demonstrated by experience in 
initiating and implementing related

[[Page 40255]]

environmental, health, or housing projects.
Rating Factor 2: Need/Extent of the Problem (15 Points)
    This factor addresses the extent to which there is a need for your 
proposed program activities to address documented problems in your 
target area(s).
    (1) Document a critical level of need for your proposed activities 
in the area where activities will be carried out. You should pay 
specific attention to documenting need as it applies to your target 
area(s), rather than the larger geographic area.
    (2) Your documentation of need should summarize available data 
linking housing-based hazards to disease or injuries to children in 
your target area(s). Examples of supporting data that might be used to 
demonstrate need, include:
    (a) Economic and demographic data relevant to your target area(s), 
including poverty and unemployment rates;
    (b) Rates of childhood illnesses or injuries(e.g., asthma, burns) 
that could be caused or exacerbated by exposure to conditions in the 
home environment, among children residing in your target area(s), and/
or rates of environmentally-related disease or adverse health effects 
(e.g., hypertension, elevated blood lead levels) in your target 
area(s);
    (c) Unavailability of other Federal, State or local funding or 
private sector resources that could be, or is used, to address the 
problem.
    (3) For the areas targeted for your project activities, provide 
data available in your jurisdiction's currently approved Consolidated 
Plan (including the AI), or derived from 1990 Census Data, or derived 
from other sources (all data should be documented) that address:
    (a) The age and condition of housing;
    (b) The number and percentage of very-low and low income families 
with incomes less than 80% of the median income, as determined by HUD, 
for the area, with adjustments for smaller and larger families (See 
application kit for additional information.);
    (c) The number and proportion of children under six years old.
    (d) Describe how proposed activities would help HUD achieve its 
goals for this program area.
    (e) There must be a direct relationship between the proposed 
activities, community needs, and the purpose of the program.
Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach (45 Points)
    This factor addresses the quality and cost-effectiveness of your 
proposed work plan. You should present information on the proposed 
approach for controlling housing-based hazards. The response to this 
factor should include the following elements:
    (1) Intervention Strategy (30 points). Describe the strategy you 
will use in planning and executing the housing-based hazard 
interventions. You should provide information on:
    (a) Strategy for Implementing the Demonstration Project (10 
points). Describe your overall strategy for your proposed demonstration 
project. The description must include a discussion of:
    (i) Your overall strategy for identifying, selecting, prioritizing, 
and enrolling units of eligible housing in which you will undertake 
housing-based hazards interventions, and then targeting such units to 
the low-income families with young children for the long run. Describe 
the extent to which your proposed activities will occur in an 
Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community (EZ/EC), if applicable.
    (ii) The estimated total number of owner occupied and/or rental 
units in which you will conduct interventions.
    (iii) The degree to which your work plan focuses on housing units 
with young children, and how you propose to make treated units 
available to these households for the long run. Describe your planned 
approach to control housing-based hazards before children are affected; 
and/or to control these hazards in units where children have already 
been treated for illnesses or injuries associated with housing-based 
hazards (e.g., burns, lead poisoning, asthma). Describe the process for 
your referral of children for medical case management if this is not 
ongoing.
    (iv) The financing strategy, including eligibility requirements, 
terms, conditions, and amounts available, to be employed in conducting 
housing-based hazards activities. You must discuss the way funds will 
be administered (e.g., use of grants, deferred loans, forgivable loans, 
other resources, private sector financing, etc.) as well as the agency 
which will administer the process. Describe how your proposed project 
will further and support the policy priorities of the Department, 
including providing opportunities for self-sufficiency, particularly 
for persons enrolled in welfare-to-work programs; or providing 
educational and job training opportunities.
    (b) Outreach and Community Involvement (5 points). You must 
describe:
    (i) Proposed methods of community education. These should include 
community awareness, education, training, and outreach programs in 
support of your work plan and objectives. This should include general 
and/or targeted efforts undertaken to assist your efforts in reducing 
exposure to housing-based hazards. To the extent possible, programs 
should be culturally sensitive, targeted, and linguistically 
appropriate.
    (ii) Proposed involvement of neighborhood or community-based 
organizations in the proposed activities. These activities may include 
outreach, community education, marketing, inspection, and housing 
evaluations and interventions.
    (c) Technical Approach for Conducting Housing-Based Hazards 
Interventions (15 points)
    (i) Describe your process for evaluating units of eligible housing 
in which you will undertake housing-based hazards interventions.
    (ii) Describe any specialized testing or visual inspection that you 
will conduct during unit inspection with reference to source(s) of the 
protocol(s). Describe technical qualifications and requirements for 
laboratories. To be eligible for points under this factor, any 
laboratories you use must successfully participate in the Clinical 
Laboratory Program, National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program, 
and/or National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, or other 
applicable quality assurance program, which you demonstrate to be 
substantially equivalent.
    (iii) Describe the housing-based hazards interventions you will 
undertake. Provide an estimate of the per unit costs (and a basis for 
those estimates) for the type of interventions that are planned. 
Provide a schedule for initiating and conducting interventions in the 
selected units. Discuss efforts to incorporate cost-effective control 
methods to address multiple environmental health and safety hazards 
(e.g., deteriorating lead-based paint, damaged asbestos-containing 
materials, lack of smoke detectors). Work must be conducted in 
accordance with the HUD Guidelines in units where lead hazards are 
identified.
    (iv) Describe your process for the development of work 
specifications for selected interventions. Describe your management 
processes to be used to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the housing 
interventions. Discuss your contracting process to obtain contractors 
to conduct interventions in selected units.
    (v) Describe your plan for the temporary relocation of occupants of 
units selected for intervention, and how you will determine the need 
for

[[Page 40256]]

relocation. Address the use of safe houses and other housing 
arrangements, storage of household goods, stipends, incentives, etc.
    (vi) Describe your plan for ensuring right of return and/or first 
referral for occupants of units selected for intervention who have had 
to move for intervention to occur.
    (2) Economic Opportunity (5 points) Describe methods that will 
result in economic opportunities for residents and businesses in the 
community where activities will be carried out. Include information on 
how you will provide employment, business development, and contract 
opportunities. Describe how you or your partners will satisfy the 
requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Community Development Act 
of 1992 to give preference to hiring low-and very low-income persons or 
contracting with businesses owned by or employing low-and very-low 
income persons.
    (3) Program Evaluation and Research (10 points).
    (a) Identify and discuss the specific methods you will use to 
measure progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. 
Describe how the information will be obtained, documented, and 
reported.
    (b) Provide a detailed description of your proposed applied 
research activities. Your research designs should be feasible and 
display thorough knowledge of relevant scientific literature. They 
should include an appropriate plan for managing, analyzing and 
archiving data. Also, quality assurance mechanisms must be well 
integrated into your research design to ensure the validity and quality 
of collected data.
    (4) Budget (Not Scored). Your proposed budget will be evaluated for 
the extent to which it is reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent 
with the intended use of program funds. HUD is not required to approve 
or fund all proposed activities. You must thoroughly document and 
justify all budget categories and costs (Part B of Standard Form 424A) 
and all major tasks. Describe in detail your budgeted costs for each 
required program element (major task) included in your overall plan. 
The four required program elements are: administration; education and 
outreach; control of housing-based hazard (including sampling); and 
program evaluation and applied research.
Rating Factor 4: Leveraging Resources (10 Points)
    This factor addresses your ability to secure other community 
resources (such as financing, supplies or services) which can be 
combined with HUD's resources to achieve project purposes.
    (1) In evaluating this factor, HUD will consider the extent to 
which you have partnered with other entities to secure additional 
resources to increase the effectiveness of your proposed project. 
Describe how other organizations will participate in or support your 
project. Resources may include funding or in-kind contributions (such 
as services or equipment) allocated to your proposed program. Resources 
may be provided by governmental entities, public or private 
organizations, or other entities willing to be your partner in this 
effort.
    (2) Each source of contributions must be supported by a letter of 
commitment from the contributing entity, whether a public or private 
source, which must describe the contributed resources that will be used 
in your program. Staff in-kind contributions should be given a market-
based monetary value. If you fail to provide letters of commitment with 
specific details including the amount of the actual contributions, you 
will not get rating points for this factor. Each letter of commitment, 
memorandum of understanding, or agreement to participate shall include 
the organization's name and the proposed level of commitment and 
responsibilities as they relate to the proposed program. The commitment 
must be signed by an official legally able to make commitments on 
behalf of the organization.
Rating Factor 5: Comprehensiveness and Coordination (10 Points)
    This factor addresses the extent to which your program reflects a 
coordinated, community-based process of identifying needs and building 
a system to address the needs by using available HUD and other 
community resources. In evaluating this factor, HUD will consider:
    (1) The degree of coordination of your proposed project with those 
of other groups or organizations to best support and coordinate all 
activities, and the specific steps you will take to share information 
on solutions and outcomes with others. Any written agreements or 
memoranda of understanding in place must be described.
    (2) The extent to which you have developed linkages, or the 
specific steps you will take to develop linkages, to coordinate your 
activities so solutions are holistic and comprehensive. Linkages 
include those with other HUD, Federal, State or locally funded 
activities through meetings, information networks, planning processes, 
or other means.
    (3) The degree of coordination with housing rehabilitation, housing 
and health inspection, and other related housing programs.
    (a) Describe your plan for integrating and coordinating housing-
based hazards interventions with other housing-related activities 
(e.g., rehabilitation, weatherization, removal of code violations, and 
other similar work).
    (b) Describe your plans to consolidate housing-based hazards 
interventions with applicable housing codes and health regulations.
    (c) Describe your plans to generate and use public subsidies or 
other resources (such as revolving loan funds) to finance future 
interventions to prevent and control housing-based hazards, 
particularly in low- and very-low-income housing.
    (d) Detail the extent to which you will ensure that the needs of 
minorities and persons with disabilities will be addressed adequately 
during your intervention activities; and that housing in which 
environmental hazards have been addressed will remain available and 
affordable in the long run for low income, minority, large families, 
and for persons with disabilities.
    (4) If applicable, the application should demonstrate a knowledge 
of the target community's Consolidated Plan and/or Analysis of 
Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and detail the Consolidated Plan 
issue areas in which your organization participates. Describe the 
degree to which you have become actively involved (or if not currently 
active, the specific steps you will take to become active) in your 
community's Consolidated Planning process established to identify and 
address a need/problem that is related in whole or part, directly, or 
indirectly the activities you propose.

VI. Application Submission Requirements

(A) Applicant Information

    You should submit your application in accordance with the format 
and instructions contained in this program section of this NOFA. The 
following is a checklist of required application contents:
    (1) Transmittal letter that summarizes your proposed program, 
provides the dollar amount requested, and identifies you and your 
partners in the application.
    (2) The name, mailing address, telephone number, and principal 
contact person. If you are a consortium of associates, sub-recipients, 
partners, major subcontractors, joint venture participants, or others 
contributing

[[Page 40257]]

resources to the project, similar information shall also be provided 
for each of these entities and you must specify the lead entity.
    (3) Completed Forms HUD-2880, Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update 
Report; Certification Regarding Lobbying; and SF-LLL, Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities, where applicable.
    (4) Standard Forms SF-424, 424A, 424B, and other certifications and 
assurances listed in this program section. (see application kit).
    (5) A narrative statement addressing the rating factors for award. 
The narrative statement must be numbered in accordance with each factor 
for award (Factor 1 through 5). The response to the rating factors must 
not exceed a total of 30 pages.
    (6) Any attachments, appendices, references, or other relevant 
information may accompany the project description, but must not exceed 
twenty (20) pages for your entire application.
    (7) A detailed budget with supporting cost justification for all 
budget categories of your funding request.
    (8) The resumes and position descriptions of your project director 
and program manager and up to three additional key personnel.

VII. Corrections to Deficient Applications

    After the application due date, HUD may not, consistent with its 
regulations in 24 CFR part 4, subpart B, consider any unsolicited 
information you, the applicant, may want to provide. HUD may contact 
you, however, to clarify an item in your application or to correct 
technical deficiencies. You should note, however, that HUD may not seek 
clarification of items or responses that improve the substantive 
quality of your response to any selection factors. In order not to 
unreasonably exclude applications from being rated and ranked, HUD may, 
however, contact applicants to ensure proper completion of the 
application and will do so on a uniform basis for all applicants. 
Examples of curable (correctable) technical deficiencies include your 
failure to submit the proper certifications or your failure to submit 
an application that contains an original signature by an authorized 
official. In each case, HUD will notify you in writing by describing 
the clarification or technical deficiency. HUD will notify applicants 
by facsimile or by return receipt requested. You must submit 
clarifications or corrections of technical deficiencies in accordance 
with the information provided by HUD within 14 calendar days of the 
date of receipt of the HUD notification. If your deficiency is not 
corrected within this time period, HUD will reject your application as 
incomplete, and it will not be considered for funding.

VIII. Findings and Certifications

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    The information collection requirements contained in this NOFA were 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and 
approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The approval number when assigned will be 
announced by separate notice published in the Federal Register. An 
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a collection of information unless the collection displays 
a valid control number.

Executive Order 12612, Federalism The General Counsel, as the 
Designated Official under section 6(a) of

    Executive Order 12612, Federalism, has determined that the 
provisions of this NOFA do not have ``federalism implications'' within 
the meaning of the Order.

Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance

    Section 102 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
Reform Act of 1989 (HUD Reform Act) and the final rule codified at 24 
CFR part 4, subpart A, published on April 1, 1996 (61 FR 1448), contain 
a number of provisions that are designed to ensure greater 
accountability and integrity in the provision of certain types of 
assistance administered by HUD. On January 14, 1992, HUD published, at 
57 FR 1942, a notice that also provides information on the 
implementation of section 102. The documentation, public access, and 
disclosure requirements of section 102 are applicable to assistance 
awarded under this NOFA as follows:
    Documentation and public access requirements. HUD will ensure that 
documentation and other information regarding each application 
submitted pursuant to this NOFA are sufficient to indicate that basis 
upon which assistance was provided or denied. This material, including 
any letters of support, will be made available for public inspection 
for a five-year period beginning not less than 30 days after the award 
of the assistance. Material will be made available in accordance with 
the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing 
regulations at 24 CFR part 15. In addition, HUD will include the 
recipients of assistance pursuant to this NOFA in its Federal Register 
notice of all recipients of HUD assistance awarded on a competitive 
basis.
    Disclosures. HUD will make available to the public for five years 
all applicant disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted in 
connection with this NOFA. Update reports (also Form 2880) will be made 
available along with the applicant disclosure reports, but in no case 
for a period of less than three years. All reports--both applicant 
disclosures and updates--will be made available in accordance with the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing 
regulations at 24 CFR part 15.

Section 103 HUD Reform Act

    HUD will comply with section 103 of the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 and HUD's implementing regulations 
in subpart B of 24 CFR part 4 with regard to the funding competition 
announced today. These requirements continue to apply until the 
announcement of the selection of successful applicants. HUD employees 
involved in the review of applications and in the making of funding 
decisions are limited by section 103 from providing advance information 
to any person (other than an authorized employee of HUD) concerning 
funding decisions, or from otherwise giving any applicant an unfair 
competitive advantage. Persons who apply for assistance in this 
competition should confine their inquiries to the subject areas 
permitted under section 103 and subpart B of 24 CFR part 4.
    Applicants or employees who have ethics related questions should 
contact the HUD Office of Ethics (202) 708-3815. (This is not a toll-
free number.) For HUD employees who have specific program questions, 
such as whether particular subject matter can be discussed with persons 
outside HUD, the employee should contact the appropriate Field Office 
Counsel.

Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities

    Applicants for funding under this NOFA are subject to the 
provisions of section 319 of the Department of Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (31 U.S.C. 1352) (the 
Byrd Amendment) and to the provisions of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-65; approved December 19, 1995).
    The Byrd Amendment, which is implemented in regulations at 24 CFR 
part 87, prohibits applicants for Federal contracts and grants from 
using appropriated funds to attempt to influence Federal executive or 
legislative officers or employees in

[[Page 40258]]

connection with obtaining such assistance, or with its extension, 
continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification. The Byrd Amendment 
applies to the funds that are the subject of this NOFA. Therefore, 
applicants must file a certification stating that they have not made 
and will not make any prohibited payments and, if any payments or 
agreement to make payments of nonappropriated funds for these purposes 
have been made, a form SF-LLL disclosing such payments must be 
submitted. The certification and the SF-LLL are included as Attachment 
D of this NOFA.
    The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-65; approved 
December 19, 1995), which repealed section 112 of the HUD Reform Act, 
requires all persons and entities who lobby covered executive or 
legislative branch officials to register with the Secretary of the 
Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and file reports 
concerning their lobbying activities.

IX. Environmental Requirements

    Activities assisted under this program are subject to HUD 
environmental review to the extent required under 24 CFR part 50. An 
award under the Healthy Homes Initiative does not constitute approval 
of specific sites where activities may be carried out. Following award 
execution, HUD will perform environmental reviews for activities to be 
carried out on properties proposed by your organization. You may not 
rehabilitate, convert, repair or construct a property, or commit or 
expend program funds or non-HUD funds for these program activities for 
any eligible property, until you receive written notification from the 
appropriate HUD official that HUD has completed its environmental 
review and the property has been approved. The results of environmental 
reviews may require that proposed activities be modified or proposed 
sites rejected.

X. Authority

    The authority for this program is the Departments of Veterans 
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 1999, Pub. L. 105-276 (approved October 21, 1998), 
112 Stat. 2461, 2482.

    Dated: July 16, 1999.
David Jacobs,
Director of the Office of Lead Hazard Control.

Appendix A

    The following briefly describes the housing-associated health 
and injury hazards HUD considers key targets for intervention:
    Allergens and asthma: Experts estimate that 14 million Americans 
have asthma, with an associated annual cost of $14 billion. Asthma 
is now recognized as the leading cause of school and work absence, 
emergency room visits and hospitalization. For sensitized children, 
exposure to antigens from dust mites, certain pets, and cockroaches 
has been associated with more severe asthma. There is a 
preponderance of evidence showing a dose-response relationship 
between exposure and prevalence of asthma and allergies; some 
evidence also indicates that exposure to antigens early in life may 
predispose or hasten the onset of allergies and asthma Dust mites 
have been identified as the largest trigger for asthma and 
allergies. Cockroach allergens appear to be excessive in 30-50% of 
inner-city housing and affect 5-15% of the population, whereas dust 
mite appears to be the dominant allergen in other environments. 
Interventions known to have beneficial effects include installation 
of impervious mattress and pillow covers, which can reduce allergen 
exposure by 90%. Other dust mite control measures include 
dehumidification, laundering bedding, and removal of carpets and 
other dust sinks. Cleaning carpets with tannic acid solution has 
also been demonstrated to greatly reduce dust mites. Asthma 
prevention program costs have been estimated at about $500 per unit, 
which includes about $150 for educational interventions.
    Asbestos: Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used 
commonly in a variety of building construction materials and 
household products for insulation and as a fire-retardant. The 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product 
Safety Commission (CPSC) have banned most asbestos products. 
Manufacturers have also voluntarily limited uses of asbestos. Today, 
asbestos is most commonly found in older homes: in pipe and furnace 
insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints 
and other coating materials, and floor tiles. Elevated 
concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur when asbestos-
containing materials (ACM) are disturbed by cutting, sanding or 
other remodeling activities. Improper attempts to remove these 
materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, 
increasing asbestos levels and endangering people living in those 
homes. The most dangerous asbestos fibers are too small to be 
visible. After they are inhaled, they can remain and accumulate in 
the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of 
the chest and abdominal linings), and asbestosis (irreversible lung 
scarring that can be fatal). Most people with asbestos-related 
diseases were exposed to elevated concentrations on the job; some 
developed disease from exposure to clothing and equipment brought 
home from job sites. As with radon, dose-response extrapolations 
suggest that lower level exposures, as may occur when asbestos-
containing building materials deteriorate or are disturbed, may also 
cause cancer.
    Intact asbestos-containing materials are not a hazard; they 
should be monitored for damage or deterioration and isolated if 
possible. Repair of damaged or deteriorating ACM usually involves 
either sealing (encapsulation) or covering (enclosure) it. Repair is 
usually cheaper than removal, but it may make later removal of 
asbestos more difficult and costly. Repairs should be done only by a 
professional trained and certified to handle asbestos safely and can 
cost from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars; removal can be 
more expensive.
    Combustion products of heating and cooking appliances: Burning 
of oil, natural gas, kerosene, and wood for heating or cooking 
purposes can release a variety of combustion products of health 
concern. Depending upon the fuel, these may include carbon monoxide 
(a chemical asphyxiant), oxides of nitrogen (respiratory irritants), 
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., the carcinogen 
benzo[a]pyrene), and airborne particulate matter (respiratory 
irritants). Carbon monoxide, an odorless gas, can be fatal. Nitrogen 
dioxide can damage the respiratory tract, and sulfur dioxide can 
irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. Smoke and other 
particulates irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and can cause lung 
cancer.
    Improper venting and poor maintenance of heating systems and 
cooking appliances can dramatically increase exposure to combustion 
products. Experts recommend having combustion heating systems 
inspected by a trained professional every year to identify blocked 
openings to flues and chimneys; cracked or disconnected flue pipe; 
dirty filters; rust or cracks in the heat exchanger; soot or 
creosote build-up; and exhaust or gas odors. Installing a carbon 
monoxide detector is also recommended; however, such a detector will 
not detect other combustion by-products.
    Insect and Rodent pests: The observed association between 
exposure to cockroach antigen and asthma severity has already been 
noted above. In addition, cockroaches may act as vehicles to 
contaminate and environmental surfaces with certain pathogenic 
organisms. Rodents can transmit a number of communicable diseases to 
humans, either through bites, arthropod vectors, or exposure to 
aerosolized excreta. In addition, humans can become sensitized to 
proteins in rodent, urine, dander and saliva. Such sensitization may 
contribute to asthma severity among children. Insect and rodent 
infestation is frequently associated with substandard housing that 
makes it difficult to eliminate. Treatment of rodent and insect 
infestations often includes the use of toxic pesticides which may 
present hazards to occupants (see below). Integrated pest management 
(IPM) for rodents and cockroaches, which reduces the use of 
pesticides, is estimated to cost approximately $150 per unit. IPM 
control measures include sealing holes and cracks, removing food 
sources and use of traps.
    Lead: Exposure to lead, especially from deteriorating lead-based 
paint, remains one of the most important and best-studied of the 
household environmental hazards to children. Although blood lead 
levels have fallen nationally, a large reservoir of lead remains in 
housing. The most recent national survey, conducted from 1991-94, 
showed that nearly one million U.S. preschoolers still have elevated 
blood lead levels. Overall, the prevalence rate among all children 
under six

[[Page 40259]]

years of age is 4.4%. Among low-income children living in older 
housing where lead-based paint is most prevalent, the rate climbs to 
16%; and for African-American children living in such housing, it 
reaches 21%.
    HUD estimates that 64 million dwellings have some lead-based 
paint, and that 20 million have lead-based paint hazards. Of those, 
about 3.6 million have young children and of those, about 500,000 
units have inadequate cash flow to respond to lead-based paint 
hazards. Costs can range anywhere from $500 to $15,000 per unit. 
Corrective measures include paint stabilization, enclosure and 
removal of certain building components coated with lead paint, and 
cleanup and ``clearance testing'', which ensures the unit is safe 
for young children.
    Mold and moisture: An analysis of several pulmonary disease 
studies estimates that 25% of airways disease, and 60% of 
interstitial lung disease may be associated with moisture in the 
home or work environment. Moisture is a precursor to the growth of 
mold and other biological agents, which is also associated with 
respiratory symptoms. An investigation of a cluster of pulmonary 
hemosiderosis (PH) cases in infants showed PH was associated with a 
history of recent water damage to homes and with levels of the mold 
Stachybotrys atra (SA) in air and in cultured surface samples. 
Associations between exposure to SA and ``sick building'' symptoms 
in adults have also been observed. Other related toxigenic fungi 
have been found in association with SA-associated illness and could 
play a role. For sensitive individuals, exposure to a wide variety 
of common molds may also aggravate asthma. Addressing mold problems 
in housing requires coordination among the medical, public health, 
microbiological, housing, and building science communities.
    The cost of mold/moisture-related intervention work (e.g., 
integrated pest management, clean & tune furnace, remove debris 
,vent clothes dryer, cover dirt floor with impermeable vapor 
barrier) is a few hundred dollars, unless major modification of the 
ventilation system is needed. In Cleveland, mold interventions, 
including repairs to ventilation systems and basement flooring, in 
the most heavily-contaminated homes range from $500--$5,000, with 
some costs also being dedicated to lead hazard control 
simultaneously through its lead+asthma program.
    Pesticide residues: According to the EPA, 75 percent of U.S. 
households used at least one pesticide product indoors during the 
past year. Products used most often are insecticides and 
disinfectants. Another study suggests 80 percent of most people's 
exposure to pesticides occurs indoors and that measurable levels of 
up to a dozen pesticides have been found in the air inside homes. 
The amount of pesticides found in homes appears to be greater than 
can be explained by recent pesticide use in those households; other 
possible sources include contaminated soil or dust that migrates in 
from outside, stored pesticide containers, and household surfaces 
that collect and then release the pesticides. Pesticides used in and 
around the home include products to control insects (insecticides), 
termites (termiticides), rodents (rodenticides), molds and 
fungi(fungicides), and microbes (disinfectants). In 1990, the 
American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that some 
79,000 children were involved in common household pesticide 
poisonings or exposures. In households with children under five 
years old, almost one-half stored at least one pesticide product 
within reach of children. Exposure to chlorpyriphos (CP), a commonly 
used organophosphate insecticide, in the prenatal and early 
postnatal period may impair neurodevelopment. While CP is a 
biodegradable pesticide, substantial persistence of CP in house dust 
has been demonstrated. Exposure to high levels of cyclodiene 
pesticides, commonly associated with misapplication, has produced 
various symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, 
weakness, tingling sensations, and nausea. In addition, EPA is 
concerned that cyclodienes might cause long-term damage to the liver 
and the central nervous system, as well as an increased risk of 
cancer.
    There are available data on hazard evaluation methods and 
remediation effectiveness regarding pesticide residues in the home 
environment.
    Radon progeny: The National Academy of Sciences estimates that 
approximately 15,000 cases of lung cancer per year are related to 
radon exposure. Epidemiologic studies of miners exposed to high 
levels of radon in inhaled air have defined the dose response 
relation for radon-induced lung cancer at high exposure levels. 
Extrapolation of these data has been used to estimate the excess 
risk of lung cancer attributable to exposure to radon gas at the 
lower levels found in homes. These estimates indicate that radon gas 
is an important cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. Excessive 
exposures are typically related to home ventilation, structural 
integrity and location.
    Radon measurement and remediation methods are well-developed, 
and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that every 
home be measured for radon. EPA estimates that materials and labor 
costs for radon reduction in an existing home are $800-$2500. 
Including radon resistant techniques in new home construction costs 
$350-$500, and can save up to $65 annually in energy costs, 
according to the EPA.
    Take home hazards from work/hobbies and work at home: When the 
clothing, hair, skin, or shoes of workers become contaminated with 
hazardous materials in the workplace, such contaminants may 
inadvertently be carried to the home environment and/or an 
automobile. Such ``take-home'' exposures have been demonstrated, for 
example, in homes of lead-exposed workers. In addition, certain 
hobbies or workplaces located in the home may provide an especially 
great risk of household contamination.
    Control methods include storing and laundering work clothes 
separately, and showering and changing before leaving work, or 
immediately after arriving home. Once a home becomes contaminated, 
cleaning floors and contact surfaces and replacing furnishings may 
be necessary to reduce exposures.
    Unintentional injuries/fire: Unintentional injury is now the 
leading cause of death and disability among children younger than 15 
years of age. In 1997, nearly 7 million persons in the United States 
were disabled for at least 1 full day by unintentional injuries 
received at home. During the same year, 28,400 deaths were 
attributable to unintentional home injuries, of which 1800 occurred 
among children 0-4 years of age. Among young children, three types 
of events accounted for more than \3/4\ of deaths: fires/ burns, 
drownings, and mechanical suffocation. Falls and poisoning are the 
next most common.
    Home visitation protocols have been shown to be effective in 
reducing exposure to such hazards. The ``add-on'' cost of injury 
prevention measures, when combined with other housing interventions 
are estimated at about $100 per unit. This includes the cost of some 
injury prevention devices, such as smoke alarms, electrical socket 
covers, etc.

Appendix B

References

Institute of Medicine. Indoor Allergens, Assessing and Controlling 
Adverse Health Effects, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 
1993.
Mott L., Our Children at Risk, Natural Resources Defense Council, 
Washington, D.C. 1997.
Rom W.N. Ed. Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Little, Brown 
and Co., Boston, 1992.
President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks to Children. Asthma and The Environment: An Action Plan to 
protect Children, Washington, D.C. 1999

[FR Doc. 99-18876 Filed 7-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-32-P