The major goal of HUD’s Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) is to identify and assess cost-effective interventions that simultaneously address multiple housing-related children’s health and safety hazards in high risk housing. For example, addressing uncontrolled moisture would help alleviate lead paint hazards (prevent paint deterioration), reduce allergen levels (e.g., dust mites, fungi), and improve structural safety. An initial plan, developed with the assistance of a panel of subject area experts, identified four broad areas of emphasis: excess moisture reduction, dust control, indoor air quality, and education/outreach. HUD is implementing the HHI through the issuance of annual competitive grants to fund research, education, and demonstration projects; cooperative agreements with other federal agencies; and HUD-directed projects by staff and contractors. To date, sponsored projects have developed public education materials, visual assessment tools, environmental sampling protocols, and are assessing a variety of intervention strategies, such as: specialized cleaning and detection of cockroach allergen, prenatal assessment and intervention in high risk housing, use of trained peers for assessment and education, and training of tenants and landlords in basic housing hazard assessment and intervention. A web site has also been developed to facilitate communication among HHI partners. See www.hud.gov/offices/lead
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Children's Health, Indoor Environment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employee