With people spending about 70% of their time inside a home, making sure the quality and health of this property is an important step for overall economic prosperity.
That is why federal agencies unveiled a plan called “Advancing Healthy Housing—A Strategy for Action” aimed at reducing the number of American homes with
Currently, millions of homes throughout the country have moderate to severe physical housing problems, such as dilapidated structure, roofing problems, heating, plumbing and electrical deficiencies, water leaks, damaged paint and high radon gas levels.
All of these issues can result in health problems like respiratory illnesses such as asthma and radon-induced lung cancer. Also, kids could get sick from these various hazards causing them to miss school and adults might be forced to miss work, too.
Furthermore, the health and economic burdens from preventable hazards associated with the home are considerable, and cost billions of dollars.
“It is clear that unhealthy and unsafe housing has an impact on the health of millions of people in the U.S., which is why we must do everything we can to ensure that individuals and families have a healthy place to call home,” said HUD secretary Shaun Donovan. “Today’s announcement will help the federal government unify action to controlling and preventing major housing-related exposures and hazards.”
Working with Donovan to develop this initiative was Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House council on environmental quality; Lisa Jackson, administrator with the Environmental Protection Agency; Regina Benjamin, surgeon general; and Daniel Poneman, deputy secretary of energy.
The agencies listed five goals in order for the program to achieve success and reduce the number of homes that have health problems. First, they need to establish healthy homes recommendations and then encourage the adoption of these suggestions.
Third, the agencies have to create training and workforce development to address health hazards in housing. Next, it is important to educate the public about the need to have a healthy, livable home.
Lastly, support research needs to be gathered that informs and advances healthy housing in a cost-effective manner.
“Healthy homes and communities are essential to our quality of life, our productivity, and our economic vitality,” Sutley said. “Through this plan, federal agencies have committed to working together to make sure all Americans can count on safe, healthy places to live, grow and thrive.”
