What Is a Healthy Home?
A Healthy Home is a home designed, constructed, maintained, or rehabilitated in a way that supports the health of residents.
This is an integrated, systems level approach that considers the people living in the home, the structure, and the potential health hazards to
prevent disease and injury in the home. It is an efficient and prevention-effective approach because health and housing problems are
considered together in a coordinated way.
The Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program believes in a comprehensive approach to multi-hazard environmental
interventions, focusing on lead, moisture control, integrated pest management (IPM), safety, and toxics in residential properties.
A Healthy Home is a home that includes the following seven characteristics:
- Dry - Excess moisture in the home can be prevented through appropriate construction methods and plumbing systems, temperature control,
ventilation and proper maintenance.
- Clean - Keeping a home clean includes controlling the source, creating smooth and cleanable surfaces, reducing clutter, and using
effective cleaning methods.
- Pest-free - Prevent entry, control food, water, and places for shelter.
- Ventilated - Ventilation is necessary to add heat, remove heat, add or remove humidity, and dilute or remove contaminants.
- Safe - There are many simple and inexpensive ways to prevent home injuries.
- Avoids Contaminants - It is easier to prevent exposure to contaminants then it is to remove them and treat their effects.
- Maintained - Systems should be inspected regularly to ensure proper function.
For more information about what elements make up Healthy Homes, view our Components
of the Healthy Homes Concept page. For recommendations on how to maintain a healthy home, visit the How
to Maintain a Healthy Home page.
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Bridging the gap between health and housing
The Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development to
improve the lives of asthmatic children in Alameda County. The Project will provide families with multi-hazard housing interventions and in-home education.
The interventions cover a wide array of allergen reduction, moisture and ventilation control, and safety services. By addressing the seven principles of
Healthy Homes through housing interventions, Project participants are expected to exhibit a reduction in asthma symptoms and home injuries.
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Services and Eligibility
The Alameda County Healthy Homes Project is different in that it offers housing-based allergen reduction services and minor
home repairs to improve ventilation, as well as in-home educational visits to reinforce asthma trigger reduction and injury prevention methods. Services
include allergen reduction treatment, moisture control, indoor air quality improvements, and safety measures. Participants in the Project receive
housing-based assistance by referral from the child’s medical provider. The criteria for referral are:
- Children, 0-18 years of age:
- Diagnosis of asthma or respiratory distress
- Resident of Alameda County
Examples of services provided include: allergen reduction treatment and installation of safety measures. Additional measures may include
mold removal from cleanable surfaces, installation of exhaust fans, and moisture control through minor plumbing or roof repairs. The Project is accepting
referrals from March, 2007 through October, 2009.
Families participating in the Project will be referred to additional services based on qualifying income or need to the following types
of services:
- Weatherization programs
- Minor home repair programs
- Housing rehabilitation programs
- Lead hazard control programs
- Imminent hazards programs
- Tenant legal aid organizations
Participating families receive education on a broad range of Healthy Homes issues including:
- Safety and injury prevention
- Lead poisoning prevention
- Mercury poisoning prevention
- Radon exposure prevention
- How to Maintain a Healthy Home
- Elements of the Healthy Homes Maintenance Kit
- Reinforcement of asthma messages
- What is asthma?
- Asthma triggers and prevention
- Asthma management and control
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Healthy Homes Project Partners
Partners in this Project include the following:
For more information call the Public Information Line at 510-567-8280.
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