Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney Introduces REHABS Act

NEWBURGH – To assist housing organizations like Habitat for Humanity rehabilitate older homes containing life-threatening contaminants, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) Friday introduced the Removing Environmental Hazards and Building Safely (REHABS) Act. The bill would establish a grant program to help alleviate the high costs associated with cleanup of these hazards in home renovation projects.

In New York, local Habitat for Humanity chapters are just as likely to renovate existing homes as they are to build new ones for low-income families, but the costs for abating dangerous contaminants are high. Cities across the Hudson Valley have a significant number of older homes which can be renovated, but often contain lead-based paint, pipes, asbestos, or mold.

“Go to William Street in Newburgh and you’ll find an entire block full of homes which once contained lead, asbestos, or mold but are now safe, clean and ready to make a family’s dream come true,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. “Habitat for Humanity chapters in Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, and similar organizations across New York, give hardworking families a home to call their own, but we need to make sure those homes are safe. These organizations need support to make that a reality– and that’s just what my bill will do.”

“The REHABS Act would provide crucial resources to abate lead and asbestos in abandoned structures that can then be transformed into safe and affordable homes for local families in our community,” said Matthew Arbolino, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. “For Habitat Newburgh, this bill would allow us to take on the rehabilitation of homes that had previously prohibitive costs and most importantly, help more families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance of affordable homeownership. When vacant and boarded up structures containing hazardous lead and asbestos are brought back to life as family homes, the tax base is bolstered, children are safer from environmental health hazards, and the whole community benefits.”

“Securing funds for environmental remediation is a critical factor in creating affordable homes for low wage working American families,” said Maureen Lashlee, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County Inc.

“New York Housing Conference applauds Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney for working to further protect families from exposure to environmental health hazards,” said Jessica A. Facciponti, Director of Policy and Programs, New York Housing Conference. “This bill will help cover the costly work of remediating lead, asbestos and mold in older homes in New York and across the nation.”

The REHABS Act would create a grant program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which would assist organizations like Habitat for Humanity International, Community Frameworks, the Housing Assistance Council, and Tierra del Sol Housing Corporation to conduct environmental abatement activities for a trial period of two years.

The bill would also require HUD to conduct a study of best-practices for mold abatement methodologies for home renovation and construction.

These organizations have a “sweat equity” element that qualifies them for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) program, which is also administered by HUD.

The REHABS Act would provide much-needed assistance to organizations working to increase homeownership among low income families and ensure that volunteer-based homeownership programs are able to make a lasting impact on their communities.