Carbon Monoxide Alarms in HUD and USDA Housing – Funding included in Bill

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry

Included in the passage of the 5,593 page COVID-19 relief and FY21 appropriations bills package is H.R. 1690, which requires HUD- and USDA-subsidized housing to have carbon monoxide alarms in units that have combustion-fueled appliances or a ventilation system that connects them to such units.

Specifically, owners must ensure that carbon monoxide alarms or detectors are installed in dwelling units in a manner that meets or exceeds standards of the International Fire Code published by the International Code Council or “any other standards as may be adopted by the HUD Secretary, including any relevant updates to the International Fire Code, through a notice published in the Federal Register.”

The bill was introduced after deadly carbon monoxide poisonings in HUD-subsidized housing. The bill authorizes $101.4 million a year for three years to pay for the purchase and installation of the alarms.