What is considered "target housing"?

The term "target housing" refers specifically to residential properties built before 1978. This designation is significant because homes constructed in this timeframe are more likely to contain lead-based paint, which poses health risks, especially to young children and pregnant women. The United States passed the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act in 1971, and further regulations were established in the 1990s focusing on lead hazards in homes, particularly those built before 1978 when the use of lead-based paint was banned in residential properties.

By identifying dwellings as "target housing," regulations and abatement practices can be appropriately directed at those properties most at risk. Consequently, homes constructed after 1978, those occupied exclusively by seniors, or those that have been renovated do not fall under this designation, as they are not typically considered to contain lead hazards relevant to the same level of concern as buildings built prior to the regulatory changes. This classification is central to understanding lead-related regulations and practices in lead abatement protocols.