House Committee Advances Bill to Protect Residents from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The House Financial Services Committee approved on June 26 legislation introduced by Representative Chuy Garcia (D-IL) to protect residents of federally assisted housing from carbon monoxide poisoning. The “Safe Housing for Families Act of 2019” would require carbon monoxide detectors in all HUD-assisted homes, protecting the health and safety of residents.

Despite the well-documented dangers of carbon monoxide, the use of carbon monoxide monitors is not required in all HUD housing programs. At least 11 residents in federally assisted homes have died since 2013 from carbon monoxide poisoning.  This new legislation addresses this failure by requiring all federally assisted housing developments to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors.

NLIHC’s letter of support for the legislation was submitted for the congressional record during the committee vote.

Read NLIHC’s letter of support at: https://tinyurl.com/y6pt9xum

Read the bill text at: https://tinyurl.com/y4h5ezvw