FY20 Oversight Testimony: Department of Energy and the Environment
At Children’s Law Center, we know that poor housing conditions can pose a serious risk to a child’s health. Every year we represent hundreds of families in trying to get their landlords to make repairs and comply with the housing code — especially ensuring a family’s home is safe from mold and lead-based paint hazards. Children’s Law Center Special Counsel Buck Logan testified today about the good work done by the DC Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) on addressing mold problems, while also pointing out that much work remains to be done in addressing lead and other health dangers.
To enhance DOEE’s ability to address these issues, CLC urged the DC Council to move forward with the Lead Hazard Prevention and Elimination Amendment Act of 2019; expressed hope that HUD will soon approve funding for DOEE to administer a grant to help abate lead-paint hazards in DC housing; and strongly encouraged DOEE and DCRA to enhance their efforts to coordinate the protection of tenant families against lead, mold and other hazards. Still, we ultimately believe that the creation of a new, tenant-friendly Department of Buildings is necessary to effectively deal with all types of housing conditions that endanger DC families.
Read the full testimony here: