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HEALTHY HOMES COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
WHAT is THE HEALTHY HOMES
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE?
BACKGROUND
The home is a system in which
its workings are interrelated as
are its problems. The National
Center for Healthy Housing
reports that in the American
Housing Survey of 2005,
2 million homes had severe
problems, and 4.2 million homes
had moderate problems. This
rating system did not include
insects, humidity and
condensation, lead-based paint,
radon and asbestos.
The quality of housing
significantly affects the health of
the individuals who live in them.
Asthma rates are 40-50% higher
among children of color living in
U.S. cities. Children from low-
income communities are more
likely to be lead poisoned than
their wealthier counterparts.
The annual costs for
environmentally attributable
childhood diseases in the U.S.
are $54.9 billion. This does not
include the additional costs for
the estimated 10 million school
days missed a year due to
complications for asthma.
Low-income and minority
populations continue to be
disproportionately impacted by
lead poisoning and asthma.
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
JULY 2009
The Healthy Homes Community Initia-
tive (HHCI) is a demonstration pilot
where EPA Region 7 partners with
environmental, health, and energy
organizations in the Kansas City
Metropolitan Area. Partners provide
educational information as well as ser-
vices which assist community members
to address concerns related to health
and the indoor environment. A collabo-
rative approach is used to address the
health and environmental concerns
within the home.
The components to the initiative include:
• Community Train-the-Trainer Sessions - Sessions that are designed to
make community members more effective at helping others learn about
health and the home environment.
• Outreach at Community Events - Healthy Homes outreach and educa-
tional information is provided at neighborhood events.
• Community Presentations - Presentations given to provide information re-
garding health and the home environment to community leaders, parent
groups, and service providers to increase awareness regarding health and
the home.
• Media Campaign - Educational and resource information goes out in a clear
and concise manner so that community members know where to go for help
or resources associated with health and the home environment.
WHAT CONCERNS DOES THE HHCI ADDRESS?
The Healthy Homes Community Initiative provides community members
with empowering information that assists them in identifying hazards within
their home environment, steps which they can take to address these concerns,
and information regarding resources available in the area. Subjects addressed
include: allergens/asthma, asbestos, lead, mold/moisture,
insects/rodents/pesticides, weatherization/energy conservation, radon, waste
reduction and recycling.
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HEALTHY HOMES COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
THE HOME SYSTEM
Historically, environmental
education has been presented
categorically—allergens,
asthma, asbestos, lead, mold
and moisture, insects/rodents/
pesticides, weatherization/energy
conservation, and radon.
EPA is proposing an integrated
approach that recognizes the
home as a system and
considers:
a. People living in the home;
b. the structure; and
c. potential health hazards.
All associated programs within
EPA are involved in this initiative
as a collaborative and sustain-
able team. The primary focus of
this pilot is to reach disadvan-
taged populations, though the
approach and the lessons
learned benefit all communities.
CONTACTS
Althea Moses
Environmental Justice Program
Manager
913-551-7649
moses.althea@epa.gov
Carlin Hafiz
Children's Health Program
Coordinator
913-551-7871
hafiz.carlin@epa.gov
Visit us on the Web at:
www.epa.gov/region7
WHO is THE HHCI TARGET AUDIENCE?
EPA Region 7 and their partners work in economically distressed neighborhoods
in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. These neighborhoods have many of the
risk factors associated with poor housing conditions and increased exposure to
environmental hazards.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE HHCI?
The goal of this initiative is to model an approach which may be duplicated in
other communities as a means to educate families resulting in reductions in: ele-
vated blood-lead levels (EBLs), asthma attacks, energy usage, exposure to
household toxins, and exposure to other household hazards such as radon and
asbestos.
WHO ARE THE HHCI PARTNERS?
Partnering organizations include: the Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment, Children's Mercy Hospital, Metropolitan Energy Center, Pediatric Environ-
mental Health Specialty Unit, Bridging the Gap, Black Health Care Coalition, and
the Kansas City Missouri Health Department.
Each contributing partner lends their expertise as well as support resources avail-
able to homeowners in the pilot neighborhoods. Available resources from the
partners include: lead testing, lead remediation, asthma screens, home environ-
mental assessments, home weatherization training and energy audits.
WHAT ARE THE HHCI ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES?
Increased numbers of families addressing health and environmental concerns
Increased number of children being tested for lead
Increased number of children screened for asthma
Increased community participation in health and environmental service
programs
Reduced asthma and allergy emergency room visits
Reduced asthma hospitalizations
Reduced number of EBL children
Reduced number of school days missed due to asthma related illnesses
Reduced radon exposure
Reduced lead hazards in homes
Please note: Resources supporting the outcomes listed above come from several sources, including
the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The benefit of this initiative is organizations
working collaboratively with a consistent message and goal. Together, we provide greater benefits to
communities.
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