Commerce Taking Action to Ensure Lead-based Paint Hazards Addressed at Freedom’s Path at Fort Harrison
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce (Commerce) has issued a notice of intent to halt payment (abate) of federal funds to Ft. Harrison Veterans Residences Limited Partnership (FPFH) if it does not prove it has mitigated or removed all lead-based paint hazards at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison facility by June 30, 2024. FPFH may not terminate any resident’s tenancy due to Commerce’s nonpayment of federal funds, if that occurs.
As an administrator of the federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) voucher program, Commerce contracts with housing facilities to provide them with federal assistance through monthly Housing Assistance Payments (HAP). Federal law requires facilities under a HAP contract meet certain standards, including health and safety standards.
The Montana Department of Commerce’s top priority is to ensure Montana families have safe and affordable housing. After learning that lead-based paint hazards might be present at Freedom's Path at Fort Harrison, Commerce paid for an independent risk assessment that confirmed their presence and provided the results of the assessment to the property owner and Fort Harrison residents. Commerce then met with residents to discuss the results of that assessment.
Since learning of the presence of lead-based paint hazards, Commerce has encouraged the owner to mitigate or remove those hazards. It has also communicated with HUD, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Commerce will continue to work for safe and affordable housing in Montana, especially for veterans and their families, including those living at Fort Harrison.
Update: Letter to Residents at Freedom's Path at Fort Harrison:
Notice of Intent to Fully Abate Project-Based Voucher Program Housing Assistance Payments (PDF)
Update: July 1-2, 2024
Notice of Full Suspension of Project-Based Housing Assistance Payments (PDF)
Resident Notice of Full Suspension of Project-Based Housing Assistance Payments (PDF)
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