Discover how the HUD Healthy Homes Initiative aims to protect millions of children from environmental hazards in the home. Learn about the strategic plan to advance healthy homes and ensure safety for families.
We often receive valuable resources from HUD that help our readers stay informed and lead safer lives. These resources contribute to creating better environments, fostering family happiness, and promoting healthier lifestyles. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the available links. Please note that The Argus News is sharing information that may have changed since this was posted.
Environmental hazards in the home harm millions of children each year. In 1999, in response to a Congressional Directive over concerns about child environmental health, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched its Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) to protect children and their families from housing-related health and safety hazards.
HUD has developed a Healthy Homes Strategic plan that lays out the next steps our office will take to advance the healthy homes agenda nationwide. Please take time to review this key document.
What’s the Purpose of the Healthy Homes Program?
The Healthy Homes Program addresses multiple childhood diseases and injuries in the home. The Initiative takes a comprehensive approach to these activities by focusing on housing-related hazards in a coordinated fashion, rather than addressing a single hazard at a time. The HHI builds upon HUD’s successful Lead Hazard Control programs to expand its efforts to address a variety of environmental health and safety concerns including: mold, lead, allergens, asthma, carbon monoxide, home safety, pesticides, and radon.
Making a Difference: Healthy Homes Grant Activities
Our grants focus on researching and demonstrating low-cost, effective home hazard assessment and intervention methods, as well as on public education that stresses ways in which communities can mitigate housing-related hazards. The Healthy Homes Demonstration Program and Healthy Homes Technical Studies are OHHLHC’s two grant programs. Eligible activities may include:
- Developing low-cost methods for hazard assessment and intervention
- Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
- Building local capacity to educate residents and mitigate hazards
- Developing and delivering public-education programs
Participating in the Healthy Homes Initiative: Eligible Applicants and How to Apply for a Healthy Homes Grant
Healthy Homes grants are awarded to non-profits, for-profit firms, state and local governments, federally-recognized Indian Tribes and colleges and universities, located in the United States. HUD does not make awards directly to individuals.
Information about applying for these grants is available at Grants.gov. NOFAs published in previous years are available at HUD’s SuperNOFA archive.
St. Louis city:
Home repair assistance for low to moderate income households.
The Healthy Home Repair Program, offered by the City of St. Louis through the Community Development Administration (CDA), provides essential home repair assistance to low to moderate income households living in the city. This program supports homeowners in maintaining the safety, value, and well-being of their homes.
To be eligible, applicants must meet certain requirements, including residency, property ownership, and income limits. An evaluator assesses the home’s needs and determines eligibility for the program, focusing on health and safety concerns. Collaborating with partner agencies, including Mission: St. Louis [www.missionstl.org], the program assists with planning, legal documents, contractor management, and completion of necessary repairs. The Healthy Home Repair Program aims to ensure that every resident in the City of St. Louis has a safe and comfortable living environment. To apply or for more information, please contact the Home Repair Hotline at 314-657-3888.
St. Louis County:
Environmental hazards, child health, Healthy Homes Initiative, HUD, housing safety, environmental health, public health, child safety, home hazards
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