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About Building Blocks | Search
Building Blocks for Primary Prevention
Building Capacity for Lead Safety
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Assess and Address Multiple Hazards Simultaneously
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Click here for PDF version or MS Word version
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DESCRIPTION OF THE STRATEGY
Programs that address health hazards beyond lead can efficiently and effectively equip families to reduce health hazards in the home environment. Community-based organizations train community members to assess houses for hazards and leverage the results through both individual and systems advocacy. Such programs also work to build support for prevention through the education of tenants/residents about hazards, available remedies for obtaining safe repairs, legal rights, and leadership skills. Programs focusing on direct services train volunteers and community health workers to conduct home audits, create a personalized Home Action Plan that emphasizes low- or no-cost solutions, and provide tools to assist in making needed changes, such as sealed mattress covers, cleaning kits, and HEPA vacuum loaners.
BENEFITS
Immediate/Direct
Results:
Home heath hazards will be identified. Rental property owners, their tenants, and owner-occupants will learn low-cost solutions to address hazards and be aware of home health hazards.
Public Health
Benefits:
Written reports and photographs that are property-specific inform the landlord about hazards. With respect to lead, the landlord then must correct the problem or disclose this information to prospective tenants. Property-specific data transforms the federal lead hazard disclosure rule’s right to know into a powerful catalyst for action to improve conditions in substandard rental properties. Aggregate data can motivate local lawmakers to address the prevalence of hazards through property maintenance codes, health and housing codes, and other policy changes.
Other
Indirect/Collateral Benefits:
Fosters community building and community organizing. Advocates can use aggregate data to generate media interest in the plight of low-income families who seek healthy housing.
Scope of Potential Impact
City - or - County - Wide Neighborhood/Community
PRIMARY ACTOR(S)
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KEY PARTNER(S)
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Community-based Organizations
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Rental Property Owners
General Public
Volunteers
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CRITICAL ELEMENTS
Staff
requirements:
Depending on the type of program implemented, between 1-2 FTE.
Other resource requirements:
Standard office equipment, computer equipment, and supplies to check homes for hazards.
Institutional
capacity required:
Cost
considerations:
Funding.Groups may want to begin with the highest risk neighborhoods to generate the most dramatic results.
Timing issues:
Groups may want to begin with the highest risk neighborhoods to generate the most dramatic results.
Feasibility of
Implementation:
Moderate. Volunteers are the backbone of home assessment programs, which makes them relatively inexpensive to start. However, staffing must be in place to work to retain volunteers and manage their work.
Potential Obstacles/Barriers
If home assessments reveal health hazards in rental housing, steps must be taken to ensure that tenants are protected from retaliatory evictions and other illegal landlord actions. Advocates must also guard against the responsibility being inappropriately shifted from landlord to tenant. Advocates must press code inspectors to inspect, cite, and enforce the code.
Additional Resources
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ILLUSTRATION #1 OF STRATEGY IN PRACTICE The American Lung Association of Washington established the Master Home Environmentalist (MHE) program in 1992 and has trained more than 1,400 volunteers. Trainers include environmental scientists, psychologists, social workers, academics, and medical professionals. Volunteers complete 35 hours of training and 35 hours of community service. Trained MHE volunteers use a Home Environmental Assessment List (HEALTM) to help identify health hazards in the home, including lead, dust and mold. The volunteer then works with the resident to develop an action plan to create a healthier home environment, emphasizing inexpensive or no-cost solutions. Jurisdiction or Target AreaKing County, WA; expanding to additional counties. Primary ActorAmerican Lung Association of Washington
Staffing utilizedAt a minimum, one full-time staff person is needed to recruit volunteers and members for the steering committee, schedule trainings, etc. Other resources utilizedComputer, LCD projector for presentations, and trainings are helpful. Factors essential to implementation Developing key partners to serve as trainers and on the steering committee is essential. The expertise of key partners depends on the geographical area and the type of classes needed; for example, pesticide experts must be recruited where pesticides are a main issue. Limitations/challenges/problems encountered Funding and volunteer retention were both challenges. Magnitude of Impact/Potential ImpactFrom 1994 to 1999, MHE volunteers reported completing more than 4,500 hours of community service and 1,400 home assessments. A 1997 study revealed that 86% of households visited by MHE volunteers improved their home environment. Potential for ReplicationModerate. MHE sells its trademarked and licensed program. Purchasers receive the Implementation Guide, training manual, facilitator’s guide, HEAL paperwork, database to track volunteers and residents, as well as all components created by other licensees. The cost is $2,500 for an American Lung Association affiliate; the cost is higher for non-affiliates. Contact for Specific Information References for additional information | ILLUSTRATION #2 OF STRATEGY IN PRACTICE The Community Environmental Health Resource Center (CEHRC) is a resource for grassroots groups working for social justice in low-income communities around the country. CEHRC provides local organizations with hazard assessment tools and training in their use, technical assistance, strategy advice, and sub-grants. Depending on the hazard, the training may take from 2-3 hours to two days. Community-based organizations undertaking CEHRC projects focus on high-risk rental housing, offer home hazard assessments at no charge, inform residents of the results, and engage and advocate for systems change. Jurisdiction or Target AreaNational Primary ActorCommunity Environmental Health Resource Center (CEHRC), Washington DC
Staffing utilizedTo implement the CEHRC protocols, a local organization needs 1.5-2.25 FTEs devoted to this project, along with time from shared administrative and support staff. Other resources utilizedComputer access and funding to provide volunteer stipends are needed. CEHRC provides training in hazard assessment and centralized lab analysis of samples, along with standardized forms and reports, including a resident agreement. Factors essential to implementation Community-based organizations must have strong ties to the community, adequate funding, and a strong project manager. Vigorous outreach to target communities is critical to successful projects. Limitations/challenges/problems encountered Project management is challenging, as it requires volunteer management, quality control, data collection and upkeep, reporting, inventory maintenance, and other paperwork heavy tasks. Even with a stipend, there may be attrition of volunteers. Residents in high-risk communities may be resistant to letting volunteers in to assess their homes; using volunteers from these areas, especially where language barriers may exist, helped overcome this challenge. In some cases, those testing homes may need to get state-certified. Magnitude of Impact/Potential ImpactThrough the six first-round grantees, more than 1,500 housing units were assessed. CEHRC’s tenant/community organizing component has shown success in many project communities, with local groups already generating additional projects. Potential for ReplicationVery high. In addition to assistance to its sub-grantees, CEHRC provides technical assistance to community organizations that want to implement home hazard assessment programs. Assistance includes guidance in the mechanics of hazard assessment, prevention, and control and the development of strategies to address these problems. All CEHRC materials are available free on its website; any community-based organization can access them. Contact for Specific Information References for additional information |
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