Three Approaches to Rehabilitation

Information by State  Print version   In This Section Rehabilitation Programs and the Lead Safe Housing Rule - an Overview   Three Approaches Based on the Amount of Rehabilitation Assistance   Calculating the Level of Rehabilitation Assistance

There are three approaches to lead hazard evaluation and reduction for rehabilitation activities. The approach is determined by the amount of rehabilitation assistance received by the project. The requirements are established so that larger rehabilitation projects must meet more protective requirements than smaller rehabilitation projects. These approaches are:

1. Do no harm. For rehabilitation projects up to $5,000 per unit, the approach is to do no harm. This means that work is done using safe work practices and clearance of the worksite is performed at the end of the job to ensure that no lead dust hazards remain in the work area. Grantees can test surfaces to determine if they have lead-based paint or they can choose to presume that lead-based paint is present on all surfaces disturbed by the rehabilitation activities.
   
   
2. Identify and control hazards. For rehabilitation projects from $5,000 up to $25,000 per unit, grantees must identify hazards by performing a risk assessment and then control any identified hazards using interim controls. Grantees may exercise the option to skip the risk assessment and presume that lead hazards are present. In this case, they must use standard treatments to address the presumed hazards.
   
   
3. Identify and abate hazards. For rehabilitation projects over $25,000 per unit, grantees must identify hazards by performing a risk assessment and then abate any identified hazards. Grantees may exercise the option to skip the risk assessment and presume that lead hazards are present. In this case, they must abate all applicable surfaces to address the presumed hazards.