What federal agency is primarily responsible for enforcing the lead safe housing rule?

The primary responsibility for enforcing the Lead Safe Housing Rule lies with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This rule is part of the broader efforts to reduce lead hazards in residential properties, particularly those that are federally assisted or have public housing involvement. HUD's role encompasses ensuring compliance with lead safety requirements and providing guidance and oversight to ensure that housing is safe for occupants, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.

While other agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also deal with lead through environmental regulations and the safe management of lead exposure, it is HUD that specifically addresses lead in the context of housing rules and regulations, making it the correct choice in this context. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) primarily focuses on workplace safety, including lead exposure in occupational settings, and the Department of Health and Human Services has broader public health responsibilities but does not directly enforce housing rules related to lead. Therefore, HUD's unique focus on housing makes it the appropriate agency for this rule's enforcement.