The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced the broadest lead disclosure settlement ever with one of the nation's largest property management firms, the Denver-based Apartment Investment and Management Co. (AIMCO). Families living in more than 130,000 apartments in 42 states and Washington, D.C., will live in lead-safe units as a result of this landmark settlement

"This agreement goes a long way in making certain parents can raise their children in safe and healthy homes," said HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. "Not only are more than 130,000 apartments going to be certified lead safe, but today's settlement demonstrates the value of management companies and landlords working closely with HUD to prevent our kids from being poisoned."

"Protecting our nation's children from the dangers of lead-based paint is of paramount concern. Eliminating lead-based paint hazards in older low-income housing is essential if childhood lead poisoning is to be eradicated," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "AIMCO is to be commended for its voluntary disclosure and other efforts to make its housing lead-safe. We urge other landlords to take their cue from this responsible action."

AIMCO allegedly failed to warn its tenants that their homes may contain lead-based paint hazards in violation of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act. Under the settlement, AIMCO has agreed to test and clean up lead-based paint hazards in more than 130,000 apartments nationwide and pay a $129,580 penalty. The penalty and the number of units being tested and cleaned are the largest ever in a lead disclosure settlement.

Because AIMCO voluntarily disclosed violations of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, the company was able to significantly reduce its penalty. At the same time, HUD and EPA are ensuring that AIMCO's properties will become free of lead-based paint hazards.

View a state-by-state list of all apartments involved in this settlement.

Get more information from HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control or from the Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov/lead/).

Read the full HUD/EPA announcement.