FY 2022 Radon Testing and Mitigation Demonstration for Public Housing NOFO
The purpose of this NOFO is to provide funds to public housing agencies (PHAs) to conduct testing and as-needed mitigation of radon in the units that they manage and where applicable, to support the development of a plan for future testing and mitigation. The work supported through this NOFO will also provide HUD with important information on methods and costs for radon testing and mitigation in public housing.
HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes administers this program, which is aligned with HUD’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan includes a provision to broaden the focus of environmental interventions in homes to address other non-lead poisoning concerns such as radon exposure. It is also aligned with HUD’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), where addressing climate and environmental justice is at the core of HUD’s mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities. For more information on the CAP, refer to: https://www.hud.gov/climate. Moreover, compliance with environmental justice requirements under Executive Orders 12989 and 14008 calls for alignment with Justice 40, a government-wide effort that aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of relevant federal investments be delivered to disadvantaged communities through federal agencies through partnership with states and local communities to advance environmental justice and spur economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities. (https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2021/07/20/the-path-to-achieving-justice40/).
Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas which is a decay product of elements in soil and rock and is present in every part of the country. Low levels of radon are found in the outside air; however, radon gas can move through the soil and enter buildings through small openings in the foundation or basement and become concentrated in the indoor air environment. When radon is inhaled it can damage DNA in lung tissue, and in so doing, increases the risk of developing lung cancer which is the primary adverse health effect from exposure to radon. The latency period or time for lung cancer to manifest can be many years. Moreover, the risk of developing lung cancer from exposure to radon is influenced by many factors including age during exposure, the duration of exposure, and the concentration of radon as a function of age and duration. It is also expected that children experience higher radon doses than adults due to differences in their lung shape and size and faster respiration rate: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/radon/health_effects.html
Available Funds: Funding of approximately $5,000,000 is available through this NOFO. HUD expects to make approximately 15 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.
Preference Points: This NOFO does not offers Preference Points. The maximum number of points available for this NOFO is 100 points.
Program Office: Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
Funding Opportunity Title: Radon Testing and Mitigation Demonstration for Public Housing
Assistance Listing Number: 14.901
Funding Opportunity Number: FR-6600-N-80
OMB Approval Numbers: 2539-0015
Estimated Opening Date: October 7, 2022
Estimated Deadline Date: November 21, 2022
Agency Contact: Questions regarding specific program requirements for this NOFO should be directed to Dr. Rhona Julien; Rhona.P.Julien@hud.gov. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Please note that HUD staff cannot assist applicants in preparing their applications.