Alameda County Healthy Homes Department Receives Award from federal HUD Secretary

From Alameda County Healthy Homes Department:

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda County Healthy Homes Department (ACHHD) as a member of the California Healthy Housing Coalition (CHHC) was awarded the 2016 Housing and Urban Development Secretary’s Award for Healthy Homes. The Award, only three of which are given nationwide, recognizes excellence in healthy housing innovation and achievement.

“Through collaboration and evidence-based policy, these organizations are creating sustainable environments where families are healthy and thriving” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. “I applaud the winners for their commitment to sparking innovative development in their communities, and I look forward to our continued work together in making American city’s places of big dreams and possibilities.”

ACCHHD has actively promoted and participated in the CHHC’s work in crafting public policy solutions to address local housing challenges, including:

• Making California the first state in the nation to add visible mold as an enforceable substandard housing condition (SB 655)
• Providing all jurisdictions in California with means to require landlords to address pest infestations (SB 488)
• Supporting code enforcement officers to address substandard conditions that contribute to pest infestations (SB 1167)
• Requiring landlords to provide notification to tenants prior to using pesticides to minimize exposure risk (SB 328)

“I am proud that HUD has recognized the tremendous efforts of our Department and the Coalition in promoting resident health through housing interventions and policy efforts” declared Maricela Foster, Department Director for ACHHD. “This recognition arriving when we are celebrating the first annual National Healthy Homes Month could not have come at a better time!”

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will proclaim June 2016 as “National Healthy Homes Month” in Alameda County on June 28, 2016 as an opportunity to learn more about housing and its impact on health and provide information to encourage and empower families to protect themselves from hazards in their homes. Michelle Miller, Acting Director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes will be present to acknowledge the accomplishments of ACHHD.

For more information about the second annual HUD Secretary’s Award for Healthy Homes including the two other winners in Massachusetts and Washington, click here.

For more information about the California Healthy Housing Coalition led by the Regional Asthma Management Program click here.

For more information about the Alameda County Healthy Homes Department and the services they provide visit www.achhd.org.

Photo: Larry Brooks, Director of Operations for Alameda County’s Healthy Homes Department with HUD Award. Photo courtesy of Alameda County Healthy Homes Department.