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The Alliance for Healthy Homes is a national,
nonprofit, public interest organization working to prevent and eliminate
hazards in our homes that can harm the health of children, families, and
other residents. These hazards include lead, mold, carbon monoxide, radon,
pests, and pesticides. The Alliance advocates for policy solutions and
builds community capacity to achieve:
- primary prevention by publicizing
the importance of fixing housing-related health hazards before they
cause poor health and impaired educational outcomes for children;
- practical solutions by identifying
accessible, affordable tools that can make and keep every home healthy;
- environmental justice by insisting
that housing and communities be decent, environmentally safe, and affordable
for all;
- holistic approaches by highlighting
comprehensive “whole house” strategies that address multiple
hazards and their underlying causes; and
- asset preservation by helping
community-based organizations, agencies, property owners, and residents
recognize housing conditions that can lead to structural and interior
deterioration, which can lead to a reduction in property value.
To reach its goals, the Alliance works closely with
policy makers; community-based organizations; the housing industry; researchers;
government agencies at the local, state, and federal level; and other
stakeholders. The Alliance also provides strategic technical support to
community-based organizations and state and local agencies across the
nation.
- Anchors the national network of organizations
working to improve conditions in housing to protect the health of children
and families.
- Instrumental in shaping the landmark 1992 federal
legislation that defined the nation’s approach to addressing lead-based
paint in housing.
- Secured over one billion dollars in federal appropriations
for HUD lead safety and healthy homes grants over the past decade.
- Helped develop landmark legislation and policies
and provided technical assistance and support on lead poisoning prevention
in Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, Cleveland, Rochester, and San
Diego, among others.
- Through its Community
Environmental Health Resource Center, partners with community-based
organizations (CBOs) around the country to check homes for hazards.
Through 2005, CBOs assessed 3,300 homes, prompted repairs, and accomplished
public policy change to make housing healthier.
- Published a hurricane
recovery guide in 2005 to assist community-based and other
recovery organizations helping constituents in accessing housing and
benefits, cleaning and rehabilitating salvageable homes, and participating
in planning and decision making about the future of their towns and
cities.
- Produced myriad
reports, tool kits, and guides to help local communities
improve prevention and correction of housing-related health hazards.
Lead poisoning, asthma, carbon monoxide poisoning, and lung cancer from
radon are at once individual diagnoses and public health problems that
are closely connected to conditions in one’s home. These illnesses
harm children and families, lead to poor educational outcomes, strain
the health care system, cost the American economy billions of dollars
every year, and diminish the capacity of citizens to contribute their
talents and skills to the nation. The Alliance is at the forefront of
helping every American have the opportunity to live in a home that is
safe, healthy, and affordable.
The Community Environmental Health Resource Center (CEHRC) is a project
of the Alliance in collaboration with community leaders from across the
country. CEHRC helps community organizations identify health hazards in
homes and document substandard conditions to achieve changes in policies
and practice in high-risk communities. www.cehrc.org
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