Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action by Chris Trent

7/28/2019 Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action by Chris Trent

1/18

Chris B. Trent, MS

Off ice of Heal thy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development

Nat ional Environmental Just ice Conference

Apr i l 4, 2013

Advancing Healthy Housing:

A Strategy for Action


2/18

The Genesis

Federal Healthy Homes Work Group (HHWG) initiated thedevelopment ofAdvancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy forAction

Completed under the auspices of the Presidents Task Force onEnvironmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children

The HHWG was established by HUD and its U.S. federalpartners in 2009; it meets quarterly

USDA, CDC, DOE , EPA, HHS, HUD, DOL, NIEHS, NIST

Advances healthy housing issues at the federal level using collectiveexpertise and promotes the sustainable Healthy Homes Model


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Its Worth Noting

Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action is anexample of strong federal collaboration and coordination

Launched on February 4, 2013

Primary Panel

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson

U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin

DOE Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley


4/18

Why Target the Home?

In a Residence

69%

Outdoors8%

In a Vehicle

5%

Other IndoorLocation

11%

Bar-Restaurant2%

Office-Factory5%

Klepeis et al., 2001National Human Activity Pattern Survey

- 87% of our time isspent indoors

- 69% of that is spentin a residence


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Significance of an Unhealthy/Unsafe Home?

UnintentionalInjuries

Health Burden

Economic Burden

Graphic Credit: Lead Safe Illinois at Loyola University-Chicago


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0

5

10

15

20

25

1.1

3.6

6.0

6.8

17

23

21

Number of

housing units

(Millions)

1.1 million low-income households withone or more lead-based paint hazard

AND one or more children under agesix

3.6 million homes with one or morelead-based paint hazards AND one or

more children under age six

6 million housing units with moderate tosevere physical infrastructure problems

6.8 million housing units with radonlevels above 4 pCi/L

17 million homes with high exposureburden to indoor allergens

23 million housing units with one ormore lead-based paint hazards

FOR PERSPECTIVE: The states ofCalifornia and New York have acombined total of 21 million housingunits (US Census, 2010)


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Severe Physical Deficiencies

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

2011 2009 2007

24% 23% 24%

18% 18% 17%16% 16%18%

14%

27%

25%Black

Hispanic

Elderly

Below povertylevel

Percent of Occupied Homes with Severe Physical Deficiencies(US Census Bureau, AHS)


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Other Deficiencies (e.g., holes, rodents)

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

2011 2007

18% 18%16%

19%17%

13%

23%

16%

Other Deficiencies(US Census Bureau, AHS)

Black

Hispanic

Elderly

Below povertylevel


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Cockroaches and Mice

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Black Hispanic Elderly Below povertylevel

21%17%

26%

71%

13% 10%

21%17%

Presence of Cockroaches and Mice in Housing(US Census Bureau, 2011 AHS)

Cockroaches

Mice


10/18

How Can the Strategy for Action Help?

Built on the Healthy Homes Model concept Comprehensive Holistic Multi-prong Concept View in totality Move away from one hazard-one fix approach

Prevention upstream will reduce downstream impacts ofgreater proportion Ex: $100 to caulk around windows to eliminate water

intrusion OR thousands of dollars in water damagerepairs, mold remediation and risk of medical issues

Proactive approaches here

Reduce impacts here


11/18

Nuts and Bolts

VisionReduce the number of American homes with

residential health and safety hazards

Goals

Goal 1 - Establish Healthy Homes Recommendations

Goal 2 - Encourage Adoption of Healthy HomeRecommendations

Goal 3 - Create and Support Training and WorkforceDevelopment to Address Health Hazards inHousing

Goal 4 - Educate the Public about Healthy Homes

Goal 5 - Support Research that Informs andAdvances Healthy Housing in a Cost-Effective Manner


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Healthy Homes Characteristics

Dryness

Cleanliness

Pest Free

Safe Contaminant Free

Well Ventilated

Well Maintained

Thermally Controlled


13/18

Priority Actions

Federal commitments toadvance the Strategyand the healthy homesmodel

Goal 2.1.5 explicitly callsout action to support

the needs ofunderservedpopulations

The entire Strategy is

geared to help allAmericans BUTespecially the vulnerableand susceptiblepopulations most at risk


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Priority Actions


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Next Steps - Implementation

Launch = Implementation =Accountability HHWG is creating a Steering Committee to guide implementation

Goal/Project teams - performance indicators will track progress

5-12-21 5 Goals - 12 Priority Actions -21 Projects

Prioritization will be essential in current fiscal climate Low hanging fruit

Revisit at least annually over next 3-5 years

Will be engaging nonfederal stakeholders as webegin to make progress on implementation.


16/18

HUDs Interest

HUDs missionTo create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and

quality affordable homes for all.

HUD Strategic Plan: Utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life

Office of Healthy Homes advances programs to improve the health and safety related to the homeenvironment

Build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination Many of HUDs programs are inherently focused on the most vulnerable and susceptible

populations

Numerous initiatives are focused on incorporating and advancing sustainabilitywithin our programs to aid local communities Developing a Healthy Community Index

Braided into many programs are efforts to formally advance environmentaljustice initiatives Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action is one of them


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Conclusion

The Strategy for Action developed by the HHWG will help toimprove the lives of many Americans by focusing on healthand safety in the home environment

The Healthy Homes Model is a holistic sustainable model thatwill have positive impacts

We will welcome partnership with other stakeholders andencourage you to contact us


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QUESTIONS?

CONTACT INFO:

Chris B. TrentOffice of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

HUD

[email protected]

Questions?

Chris Trent

[email protected]

Documents

Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action by Chris Trent