Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action

C h r i s B . Tr e n t , M S O ff i c e o f H e a l t h y H o m e s a n d L e a d H a z a r d C o n t r o l U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development National Environmental Justice Conference April 4, 2013

The Genesis
Federal Healthy Homes Work Group (HHWG) initiated the

development of Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action

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

The HHWG was established by HUD and its U.S. federal

partners in 2009; it meets quarterly

USDA, CDC, DOE , EPA, HHS, HUD, DOL, NIEHS, NIST Advances healthy housing issues at the federal level using collective expertise and promotes the sustainable Healthy Homes Model

Its Worth Noting

Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action is an

example 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

Why Target the Home?

Bar-Restaurant 2% Office-Factory 5%

Other Indoor Location 11% In a Vehicle 5% Outdoors 8%

- 87% of our time is spent indoors - 69% of that is spent in a residence

In a Residence 69%

Klepeis et al., 2001 National Human Activity Pattern Survey

Significance of an Unhealthy/Unsafe Home?

Health Burden Economic Burden

Unintentional Injuries

Graphic Credit: Lead Safe Illinois at Loyola University-Chicago

25

Number of housing units (Millions)

23 21
20

1.1 million low-income households with one or more lead-based paint hazard AND one or more children under age six 3.6 million homes with one or more lead-based paint hazards AND one or more children under age six

17
15

6 million housing units with moderate to severe physical infrastructure problems

6.8 million housing units with radon levels above 4 pCi/L

10

17 million homes with high exposure burden to indoor allergens

6.0
5

6.8
23 million housing units with one or more lead-based paint hazards

3.6 1.1
0

FOR PERSPECTIVE: The states of California and New York have a combined total of 21 million housing units (US Census, 2010)

Severe Physical Deficiencies

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

30%
25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%
24% 18% 16% 14% 23% 18% 16%

27% 24% 17% 18% 25%

Black Hispanic Elderly Below poverty level

2011

2009

2007

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

Other Deficiencies
(US Census Bureau, AHS)

25%

23%

Black 19% 16% Elderly 13% Below poverty level Hispanic

20%

18%

16% 17%

18%

15%

10%

5%

0% 2011 2007

Cockroaches and Mice

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

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Black Hispanic Elderly 26% 21% 13% 17% 10% 21%

71%

Cockroaches Mice 17%

Below poverty level

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 of

greater proportion

Ex: $100 to caulk around windows to eliminate water intrusion OR thousands of dollars in water damage repairs, mold remediation and risk of medical issues Proactive approaches here

Reduce impacts here

Nuts and Bolts

Vision
Reduce the number of American homes with residential health and safety hazards

Goals
Goal 1 - Establish Healthy Homes Recommendations

Goal 2 - Encourage Adoption of Healthy Home Recommendations

Goal 3 - Create and Support Training and Workforce Development to Address Health Hazards in Housing

Goal 4 - Educate the Public about Healthy Homes

Goal 5 - Support Research that Informs and Advances Healthy Housing in a CostEffective Manner

Healthy Homes Characteristics

Dryness

Cleanliness
Pest Free Safe

Contaminant Free
Well Ventilated Well Maintained Thermally Controlled

Priority Actions
Federal commitments to advance the Strategy and the healthy homes model Goal 2.1.5 explicitly calls out action to support the needs of underserved populations The entire Strategy is geared to help all Americans BUT especially the vulnerable and susceptible populations most at risk

Priority Actions

Next Steps - Implementation

Launch = Implementation = Accountability

HHWG is creating a Steering Committee to guide implementation Goal/Project teams - performance indicators will track progress 5 Goals - 12 Priority Actions -21 Projects

5-12-21

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 we

begin to make progress on implementation.

HUDs Interest
HUDs mission

To 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 home environment Many of HUDs programs are inherently focused on the most vulnerable and susceptible populations

Build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination

Numerous initiatives are focused on incorporating and advancing sustainability

within our programs to aid local communities

Developing a Healthy Community Index

Braided into many programs are efforts to formally advance environmental

justice initiatives

Advancing Healthy Housing: A Strategy for Action is one of them

Conclusion
The Strategy for Action developed by the HHWG will help to

improve the lives of many Americans by focusing on health and safety in the home environment
The Healthy Homes Model is a holistic sustainable model that

will have positive impacts

We will welcome partnership with other stakeholders and

encourage you to contact us

Questions?
Chris Trent Chris.B.Trent@hud.gov QUESTIONS? 202.402.6295
CONTACT INFO: Chris B. Trent Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control HUD 202-402-6295 Chris.B.Trent@hud.gov