healthy homes nc housing conference sept 10, 2013

Healthy Homes NC Housing Conference Sept 10, 2013

Green & Healthy Makes $en$e!

1. Housing Impacts Health: the impact of housing conditions on health and common issues we see in our community.

2. 7 Principles of a Healthy Home: Basic practices to maintain a home in healthy conditions

3. Healthy Homes Rating System: A tool for assessing the level of health and safety risks in any given home.

4. Advancing Safe and Healthy Homes: Covers remediation, education, counseling, case management, and partnering with community

agencies

Presentation Outline

Over $100 million is spent every year to provide health care to

children in NC injured by substandard housing.

Housing Impacts Health…

Making a home energy efficient can also make it healthy!

For example…

sealing cracks to keep out cold and pests fixing water leaks and adding vapor barrier to keep the insulation

dry venting gas appliances to keep carbon monoxide from becoming

deadly.


Where is it coming from? Roof leaks, plumbing leaks,

drainage problems and inadequate ventilation can lead to mold and rotten wood throughout a home.

Kerosene and mold? Though mostly known for

dangerous fumes and fires, kerosene heaters change the moisture level in the home, increasing the likelihood of mold.


Moisture and Mold

Pests


Integrated Pest Management is the healthy—and effective—way to eliminate pests:

‣ Rats and cockroaches are not just gross… the allergens they leave behind can trigger asthma attacks.

Some tips…

‣take away their water (fix leaks)

‣their food (take out garbage)

‣their hiding places (seal holes)

‣then use baits in dark corners.

Safety Hazards

Cracked switch plates aren’t just a cosmetic issue. The exposure of wires can look inviting to little fingers, with shocking results.


Physical Injuries‣ Falls down stairs, in

bathrooms, and on rotten floors can mean the end of independence for seniors or others with mobility challenges.

Even low levels of lead exposure in children can result in permanent brain damage (EPA). Exposure is also linked to poor

school performance and low test scores.


Deteriorated lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause of exposure to lead risks, impacting

approximately 450,000 U.S. children.

Lead

Unhealthy and Inefficient Doesn’t Make $en$e……

Big repairs cost much more than preventive maintenance!

Housing is not affordable…if tenants and homeowners can’t pay high utility

bills AND rent or mortgage at the same time.



Enforcement penalties and lawsuits for substandard condition can add up

costs!

Deteriorating housing erodes the property values for surrounding neighbors.

The 7 Principles of Healthy Homes

Ventilated

Pest-Free

Clean

MaintainedSafe

Contaminant Free

Dry

Occupant responsibilities:◦Wipe up spills◦Use ventilation to dry

out◦Report water leaks to

owner immediately

Owner responsibilities:◦Fix roof and

plumbing leaks◦Check drainage to

direct water away from the house

◦ Install vapor barrier in crawl space

1. Keep it Dry

Occupant responsibilities:◦Wash dishes◦Store food in

sealed containers◦Take out garbage◦Keep water service

connected Owner

responsibilities:◦ Install cleanable

floors and other surfaces

◦Provide for garbage removal

2. Keep it Clean

Occupant responsibilities:◦Keep food away

from pests (take out garbage, wash dishes, seal food)

◦Use pest baits or traps instead of sprays

◦Report water leaks and holes to owner

Owner responsibilities:◦Fix water leaks,

cracks, and holes◦Don’t use sprays to

chase pests--get a pest management professional who uses Integrated Pest Management

3. Keep it Pest-Free

Occupant responsibilities:◦Use bathroom and

kitchen ventilation ◦Don’t block vents for

central heat/air◦Open windows when

weather is mild◦Don’t use

unventilated kerosene or gas heaters

◦Change filters

Owner responsibilities:◦Assure that

heating and air conditioning are functioning properly

◦ Install bath and kitchen fans

◦Assure that filters are changed regularly

4. Keep it Ventilated

Occupant responsibilities:◦Keep fresh batteries

in smoke detectors◦Use handrails and

grab bars◦Don’t use extension

cords◦Report immediately

if carbon monoxide alarm sounds

Owner responsibilities:◦ Install smoke

detector and carbon monoxide alarm

◦Assure electrical wiring is safe

◦ Install or repair handrails on steps

◦Replace rotten boards on floors or steps

5. Keep it Safe

Occupant responsibilities:◦Clean often to remove

lead dust (especially if home built before 1978)

◦Don’t use air fresheners or fragrances

◦Store medications safely

Owner responsibilities:◦Maintain paint to

prevent peeling and chipping of lead paint (especially if home built before 1978)

◦Don’t install products that expose to VOC’s

6. Keep it Contaminant-Free

Occupant responsibilities:◦Keep the home

clean and neat◦Prevent damage

to the home from accidents by family members or guests

Owner responsibilities:◦Check the home

on a seasonal basis (or more often) to make sure everything is functioning properly

◦Clean gutters, change filters, remove clutter

7. Maintain it!

HHRS is a tool Initially developed in the United Kingdom, by comparing

medical records with housing conditions to analyze the connection between injuries/illnesses and patients’ homes

Looks at the “effect of the defect” Not a checklist of problems but the expected impact of the

condition Based on 29 identified hazards, for calculating the likelihood

or probability and the severity of injury from each housing condition observed in a housing assessment.

Healthy Homes Rating System (HHRS)

1. Damp and mold2. Excess cold3. Excess heat4. Asbestos5. Biocides (treated

wood)6. Carbon monoxide7. Lead 8. Radiation9. Uncombusted gases10. VOC’s11. Crowding12. Security (entry by

intruders)13. Lighting14. Noise15. Pests and garbage

16. Food safety (storage)

17. Sanitation and drainage

18. Water supply19. Falling in bathroom20. Falling on level

surfaces21. Falling on stairs22. Falling between

levels23. Electrical hazards24. Fire25. Hot surfaces26. Collision and

entrapment27. Explosions28. Position of amenities29. Structural collapse

The 29 Hazards

Fixing the health risks found through HHRS…

Breaking down the silos—examples: Addressing moisture problems and ventilation when doing energy

efficiency measures Finding ways to correct safety problems when remediating lead hazards

Partnering with other programs to leverage resources for repairs outside the scope of one program

Requiring rental owners or homeowners to do the additional repairs (outside the scope of any program)

Remediating Multiple Hazards

Teaching occupant responsibilities What tenants and homeowners can do themselves to make

homes healthier (7 principles) How tenants can request repairs from landlords What homeowners need to do as owners

Case management during remediation process Connecting to health care and mental health services Referring for employment or other services

Educating and Counseling

Counseling about choices

‣ Remaining in the home and trying to get it repaired

‣ Moving to safer housing

Negotiating with rental owners Educate (about housing-related health risks) Offer (repair grants and loans to leverage their own investment in repairs) Enforce (minimum safety standards) Encourage (cooperation with tenants in maintaining

properties)

Collaborating with community partners for mutual referrals

One Touch concept (among agencies who visit homes) Referrals (repair programs refer for social services, social

workers refer for home repairs)

Advancing Safe & Healthy Homes

Advocating for effective policies Local ordinances with penalties for non-

compliance with minimum safety standards State legislation impacting housing conditions

Enforcing safe housing Code enforcement Legal action by tenants Fair housing enforcement RRP* rule enforcement

*Renovation Repair Painting rule requiring lead-safe work practices in homes built before 1978


Raising public awareness of healthy home

Video documentaries and teaching tools

Print media—stories, editorials, letters

Greensboro’s 10th Annual Healthy homes Bus Tour—October 2, 2013

Advancing Safe & Healthy HomesEvaluating and measuring outcomes

‣ Asthma ROI Demonstration Project‣ Data collection and analysis to show reductions in lead

poisonings, asthma, and injuries

Identifying potential partners‣ List potential partners in your community

‣ Consider what they can offer

‣ What do they expect or need to participate?

Reviewing policies to see what’s effective Policies about inspections Policies about scope of work, silo effect

Expanding resources Funding applications Seeking in-kind contributions

GHC can help conveneand consult!

Green & Healthy in NC Communities

Thanks to: The Kresge Foundation

City of Greensboro

Green & Healthy Makes $en$e!

Contact information:

Greensboro Housing CoalitionBeth McKee-Huger, Brett Byerly, Dominica Darby Office Phone: 336-691-9621www.greensborohousingcoalition.com

healthy homes nc housing conference sept 10, 2013

Documents