The Springfield Housing Authority will pay an $11,000 penalty and remove lead at four housing complexes under a settlement with federal agencies.
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Housing Authority will pay an $11,000 penalty for failing to inform tenants that their apartments may contain lead-based paint, according to federal agencies.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement Wednesday. Notification is required under the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.
In addition, the Housing Authority has agreed to make apartment buildings at four of its properties lead-safe at a cost of more than $49,500.
The authority will have two years to perform lead-abatement work, regarding some specific areas within the Ashley-Gerrish Apartments, John J. Duggan Park Apartments, Robinson Gardens Apartments, and Moxon Apartments.
“Today’s settlement should remind landlords and property owners that they have a legal responsibility to tell their tenants about known as well as potential lead-based paint hazards in their homes,” said Jon L. Gant, Director of HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. “HUD is committed to working with public housing authorities and other housing providers to make certain we protect children from potentially dangerous exposures to lead poisoning.”