**CONGRESSIONAL RECORD**
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs convened an emergency hearing after federal inspectors documented widespread Stachybotrys chartarum — commonly known as black mold — in three VA-operated transitional housing facilities serving homeless veterans.
The facilities, located in Phoenix, Baltimore, and Detroit, housed a combined 340 veterans at the time of inspection. Residents reported respiratory symptoms, chronic fatigue, and skin irritation consistent with mold exposure.
"This is a public health emergency," said Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), ranking member of the committee. "Veterans who survived combat should not be fighting toxic mold in the homes we provide them."
The VA's Office of Inspector General found that facility managers had received mold complaints for 18 months before inspections were conducted. Remediation estimates range from $2.1 million to $4.7 million across the three sites.
The committee voted unanimously to request emergency supplemental funding and directed the VA to contract with IICRC-certified remediation firms within 30 days.
