CLPHA Vice President Testifies on Health Hazards in Public Housing Before House Subcommittee

Date Published: 
June 28th, 2018

Jeffery K. Patterson, CEO of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority of Cleveland, Ohio, and Vice President of the CLPHA Board of Directors, appeared on behalf of CLPHA before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance for a hearing entitled “Oversight of the Federal Government’s Approach to Lead-Based Paint and Mold Remediation in Public and Subsidized Housing.”

Patterson testified along with witnesses Jeremy Kirkland, Acting Deputy Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Karen McKeown, State Health Officer and Administrator, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services; Rachel Fee, Executive Director, New York Housing Conference, Inc.; Emily A. Benfer, Esq., Distinguished Visiting Scholar and Senior Fellow, Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy, Yale Law School; and Julie Brewen, Chief Executive Officer, Housing Catalyst (the housing authority of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado).

The hearing, presided over by Chairman Sean Duffy (R-WI) and Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), sought to examine how HUD programs remedy unsafe living conditions caused by lead-based paint and mold for individuals and families that live in public and subsidized housing, and to review the June 14, 2018 HUD Inspector General’s report entitled “HUD’s Oversight of Lead-Based Paint in Public and Housing Choice Voucher Programs.”

Patterson’s testimony focused on HUD programs that housing authorities are currently using to help correct the conditions and risks posed by environmental health hazards. The programs include the Public Housing Capital Fund, Rental Assistance Demonstration and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Moving to Work, and Healthy Homes. Patterson also spoke to the tremendous need for additional funding resources, and the need for greater collaboration between federal departments and agencies to better leverage their respective resources and expertise in order to address the problems associated with health and safety hazards.

CLPHA greatly appreciates Mr. Patterson’s testimony and support on this important issue.

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