These assessments are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and CHA’s HQS inspectors are following HUD mandates.
De Minimis Issues: Under HCV rules, any housing built before 1978 where one or more child(ren) under six years old resides, the HQS Inspector must note paint conditions. This includes all painted, stained or varnished building components. The HQS Inspector is not to make any judgments on their own, they are only to record paint deficiencies regardless of how new or old a component looks.
What is below de minimis? Less than 10 percent on smaller painted building components such as door and window moldings, baseboards etc.; less than two square feet of painted surface on interior walls and ceilings; less than 20 square feet on large exterior components such as painted siding. Below de minimis cited components can be corrected and do not require the lead-based paint certification.
What is at or above de minimis? Equal to or greater than 10 percent on smaller painted building components such as door and window moldings, baseboards, etc.; equal to or greater than two square feet of painted surface on interior walls and ceilings; equal to or greater than 20 square feet on large exterior components such as painted siding. At or above de minimis cited components require lead safe work practices and lead-based paint certification.
