Answer
Indian Affairs maintains employee housing consisting of Single Family Houses, duplex, triplex, and apartment units. The majority are in poor condition with an average age of 69 years requiring costly repairs and maintenance. These housing units are typically located in remote areas where private-sector housing are not available. Housing is provided to key employees such as principals, teachers, facility managers, security officers, and other staff as determined by the program.
Funds are used to concentrate on projects that abate life threatening deficiencies and those items that are beyond the scope of normal maintenance. The program focuses on improvement projects, which will prevent occurrences of future deficiencies. For example, funds may be used to upgrade existing systems to prevent electrical shock, fire, explosions, carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation. Upgrades to egress and electrical warning systems ensure the safe and timely exit of occupants when danger exists. Other improvements under the program include the upgrade of sanitary facilities to prevent the occurrence and spread of disease. Structural repairs prevent falls and collapse of support systems such as floors, steps and decks.
Condition surveys will continue to update deferred maintenance backlog deficiency listings, which are used to prioritize all abatement, improvement and replacement projects. In addition, environmental inspections address critical occurrences of lead-based paint that may endanger a child's life, and continue to assess the potential risk of unregulated heating fuel tanks to potable water aquifers.
