Housing

The housing component of California Breathing was initiated in late 2007 to promote health-protective measures against home-based health risks. California Breathing works with a broad range of partners in health and housing advocacy, code enforcement, health care, property management, green building, disability rights, legal assistance, research, and all levels of government. We base our housing work on the seven HH principles of keeping the home clean, dry, pest-free, toxin-free, well-ventilated, safe and well-maintained.   Our integrated environmental approach includes policy initiatives, education and demographic  research.

RECENT AND CURRENT PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

Promoting Best Practices in Code Enforcement

• Contracted with legal aid representatives from 4 counties to produce a report on asthma-related code enforcement practices and regulations. (Report published November 2009) Click here to see the full report. Click here to see recommendations for next steps from the authors.

• Received a grant from the Centers for Disease control to conduct healthy housing training for code enforcement professionals around the state. (September 2010)

Strategic Plan Implementation Grants for Local NGO’s and County Health Departments

Projects funded in 2008-2010

• Institute integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in low income multi-unit housing. (Californians for Pesticide Reform / Physicians for Social Responsibility - LA)

• Reduce second-hand smoke exposure in rural senior mobile home parks. (Shasta County Tobacco Control program)

• Train code enforcement officials on healthy housing approaches to more effectively address mold, moisture and other asthma-related health hazards. (Sonoma County Asthma Coalition with municipal and county Building Departments)

Convening Stakeholders

• Sponsored statewide symposium, Healthy Housing in California that drew approximately 200 people from diverse stakeholder groups. (June 2009) Participants included representatives from the fields of health and housing advocacy, property management, code enforcement, research, indoor air quality, green building, local and state government agencies and other key groups. To see full report on the symposium, related local symposia, and recommendations for further action, click here.

• Convene tobacco control advocates and government agency representatives to identify possible statewide action and leveraging of resources with intention to impact second-hand smoke exposure in multi-unit housing. (Began  March 2009)

• Established a Housing Advisory Board composed of diverse stakeholders to help guide California Breathing activities. (2007)