December 12th, 2017
This Report to Congress describes ongoing and recently completed residential mold- and moisture-related work conducted by different offices within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The results of that work are presented, and the Department's strategies for reaching out to key groups with information about moisture control and mold prevention are discussed. Mold and moisture problems in housing are not new phenomena, but they are receiving more attention than in the past. Concerns in recent years have turned to the relationship between mold and allergies, asthma, and concerns about exposure to mold-produced toxins, and the resulting implications for occupant health.At the same time, it is accepted that preventing mold requires keeping exterior moisture out of the building and controlling moisture from internal sources. HUD’s programs addressing residential mold and moisture problems are primarily conducted by the Department’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC), Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), and Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH). These offices conduct mold- and moisture-related activities appropriate to their areas of focus, while also coordinating with each other and sharing findings. Collectively, these offices are addressing a wide range of mold and moisture issues, including interventions and health issues in homes with mold; measurement and detection technologies; moisture management and control practices; moisture modeling and research; assessments and remediation; and outreach.