HHAC Annual HHAC Annual SymposiumSymposiumJune 10, 2011June 10, 2011

Environmental Health WatchKim Foreman

Community Engagementfor Healthy

Neighborhoods

Healthy Homes PioneerHealthy Homes Pioneer

• Blueprint for a Healthy House

•Conferences (1985-90)

• Healthy House Catalog (1990)t

• Lead + Asthma Project (1998-99)

Address multiple housing hazards using a holistic approach:

◦Lead hazards◦Excess moisture ◦Pest infestation◦Faulty combustion appliances◦Contaminated surfaces and

reservoirs◦Poorly done weatherization◦Unsafe repairs

Healthy Homes StrategyHealthy Homes Strategy

Collaboration and Grassroots Collaboration and Grassroots methods achieve positive methods achieve positive resultsresultsEHW Healthy Homes Projects: •Cleveland Lead Hazard Control (1995-present)

•Lead + Asthma (1998-2000)

•Roach Allergen Reduction (1999-2002)

•Urban mold & moisture (1999-2003)

•Community Environmental Resource Center (2002-04)

• Tenants for Healthy Housing (2004-10)

Environmental Health WatchEnvironmental Health WatchCleveland Tenants OrganizationCleveland Tenants Organization

Community Environmental Health Resource Center(CEHRC)

Tenants for Healthy Housing(THH)

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Community Environmental Community Environmental Health Resource Center Health Resource Center (CEHRC)(CEHRC)Educating tenants about housing hazards that

impact their health and the health of their children.

Documenting hazards by observing, testing and photographing.

Educating tenants to use their power to improve their housing.

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CEHRC CEHRC Home Hazards Home Hazards InvestigatorsInvestigatorsInvestigators help people find hazards in

their homes.

Investigators give people information on what they can do to reduce hazards.

Investigators help people put pressure on landlords to eliminate hazards.

CEHRC Project SuccessesCEHRC Project SuccessesPassage of the lead ordinance

Housing court added lead hazard disclosure to education for landlords

Water department included information on lead disclosure to building owners

Health Department provided housing inspectors with lead-safe renovator training

Tenants for Healthy HousingTenants for Healthy HousingCTO organizes in HUD-subsidized buildings

Tenant leaders met monthly with residents

EHW educated residents about:◦ lead poisoning◦ asthma triggers in the home◦ pest and pesticides◦ mold and moisture◦ indoor air quality

CTO followed- up with tenants, building managers, and owners to make corrections

Tenants for Healthy HousingTenants for Healthy Housing

Healthy Homes education for tenants in HUD subsidized buildings

CTO and EHW host IPM education meeting for building managers/owners

Address health hazards through tenant organizing, advocacy and enforcement

THH Project SuccessesTHH Project Successes

13 Buildings changed policies

4 Rent strikes resulted in managerial policy shifts

EHW & CTO hosted pest control workshops for managers and building owners of multifamily dwellings

EHW worked with Housing Choice Voucher Program to educate staff, inspectors and landlords

USEPA CARE Grant

PartnersNeighborhoods Environmental Justice

Our goals are to…Our goals are to…

listen to and learn about community environmental concerns

help community participants decide on a plan to begin to address environmental problems

seize environmental opportunities

NLEH Group MeetingsNLEH Group Meetings

Phase I: 1.Environmental education sessions2.Tell us about your environment3.Environmental hazards in your area

Phase II:1.List your concerns2.Pick issues to work on 3.Neighbors create an action plan

Phase I MeetingsPhase I Meetings

What is Environmental Justice/Injustice ?

What is your environment?How does environment impact your

health? Why does place matter?

17Neighborhood focused data, mapsNeighborhood focused data, maps

Phase I MeetingsPhase I Meetings

Air, Water, Food, Housing videos/ education sessions

Lead/Asthma Programs applications/ fact sheets

Local program panelsWater pollution/rain barrel

workshop

Community photo projectCommunity photo project

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Phase II MeetingsPhase II Meetings

Categorize ConcernsRank and PrioritizeCreate an Action Plan- in processSubmit Plan to EPA March 2012

NLEH AccomplishmentsNLEH Accomplishments

Monthly meetings: attendance maintained 25-30 active core community members 8 emerging neighborhood leaders Website www.nleh.org Energy Savers Contest Members attend community events – Bioneers, Dr.

Bullard, Will Allen, hearings Environmental issues and youth videos produced Additional funding obtained – Mt. Sinai and COAD

◦ UBF pending◦ EPA pending

Partnership with COAD:◦ 17 community members have received EPA Firm

Certifications as renovators◦ 20 more registered for June 14th

Thank You For Thank You For ListeningListening

WWW.NLEH.ORG WWW.EHW.ORG

216-961-4646