2015 Healthy Homes Award Winners

2015 Healthy Homes Award Winners

Congratulations to the awardees of the 2015 Healthy Homes Awards program, chosen by the National Environmental Health Association in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These awards demonstrate that housing interventions can have measurable benefits to the health of lower-income residents.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and the Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics (CMH) both received awards for Healthy Homes Innovation and Achievement in Cross Program Coordination among Health, Environment, and Housing. ANTHC, which provides comprehensive health services for Alaska Natives and American Indians, developed an intervention that improves air quality in homes and reduces the need for respiratory medical care by addressing mold and moisture problems, improving ventilation, and upgrading old woodstoves in homes. CMH, based in Kansas City, Missouri, assessed environmental conditions and performed repairs in over 700 homes. In the process, CMH developed an effective case management service model that has improved the health of people with asthma and allergies or who have lead poisoning.

Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine was recognized for Healthy Homes Innovation and Achievement in Public Policy. A leader in smoke-free housing for over 13 years, the Coalition works to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke for tenants in Maine. Based in part on the Coalition's advocacy, Maine became the first state to institute smoke-free policies in its Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan and all of Maine's Public Housing Authorities have adopted smoke-free policies.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) received the award for Healthy Homes Innovation and Achievement in Public Housing/Multifamily Supported Housing. WHEDA helped finance Highland Commons, a 50-unit development for individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, with construction and permanent loans and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. All of Highland Commons' units are for households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income, and residents have access to personalized services through a Wellness Recovery Action Plan. Over the last two years, Highland Commons has helped improve residents' quality of life and independent living skills.

To read more about the winning developments and other Secretary awards, click here.