This month, HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program celebrated its 50th anniversary. The HCV program is HUD’s single largest investment in affordable housing. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon, the program encompasses a network of about 2,200 state and local public housing agencies (PHAs). And more than 5 million people in 2.3 million low-income families use vouchers.

Lead exposure poses significant health risks, particularly to children under 6, and HUD’s recent actions reflect a commitment to mitigating these risks by aligning its policies with updated CDC guidelines and providing funding to reduce health hazards in public housing.