On February 21, 2024, Rural Development sent out the following Stakeholder Announcement:
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) Office of Multifamily Housing (MFH) published a proposed rule on Monday, January 8, 2024 (Federal Register Vol. 89 No. 5) to amend the current regulation for smoke alarm requirements in MFH properties.
On December 29, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden Jr signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 “Act”. This new law requires each unit of federally assisted housing to contain hardwired or 10-year non-rechargeable, sealed, tamper-resistant battery-powered smoke alarm devices. Amending the smoke alarm standards will aligh MFH with the requirements of the Act.
Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before March 8, 2024 and may be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal as outlined in the Federal Register Proposed Rule.