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Contact:
Jameela Maun, Executive Director
Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan
(616) 241-3300
jameela@healthyhomescoalition.org
Press Releases
April 11, 2018 - Removing Dangerous Lead Paint Now Free for Qualifying Homeowners
The Get the Lead Out! program was recently simplified, making participation free for eligible homeowners. The program is available to renters, homeowners and landlords who meet certain eligibility requirements. Repairs typically include new windows and siding.
People who live in the City of Grand Rapids – particularly those who live in homes built before 1978 – probably have lead in the paint inside and outsidetheir homes. Lead is bad – especially for kids, babies and pregnant women. It causes brain damage and learning disabilities.
Lead poisoning can be prevented. There’s HUD funding to remove lead paint SAFELY through a program known locally as Get the Lead Out! The program is led by the city of Grand Rapids in collaboration with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, the Kent County Health Department and the Rental Property Owners Association.
January 10, 2018 - Local Hardware Stores Raise Awareness, Money to Fight Lead Poisoning in GR Neighborhoods
$6,000 Collected from Customers Via “Round-up” Campaign
As the lead poisoning of children in Grand Rapids’ neighborhoods continues increase, and gain attention, one local business took the message to their customers - and raised $6,000 in doing so.
As part of their holiday season "round-up" campaign, all three Grand Rapids area locations of Rylee's Ace Hardware stores educated their customers about the dangers of lead poisoning in children while asking them to "round-up" their purchase to the next dollar. The funds raised will help support the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, whose work continues to spotlight the growing health concerns and dangers of this issue.
November 6, 2017 - Lead Poisoning on the Rise in Kent County
New health data shows that after a decade of decline, the number of lead-poisoned children in Kent County is rising.
Most troubling: The 49507 zip code in Grand Rapids not only continues to lead the state of Michigan in numbers of most lead-poisoned kids, but this same zip code has seen a 40 percent increase in children being poisoned during the past two years.
The culprit isn't in the water - it's lead-based paint found in older homes.
Resources are available to help residents Get the Lead Out.
June 16, 2017 - Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss proclaims June “Healthy Homes Month” in Grand Rapids
(Click here for copy of the Proclamation)
City of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring June 2017 as “Healthy Homes Month.” Nationally, June also has been designated “Healthy Homes Month” by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“When the City and its partners invest in housing, there is a significant return on investment for the community in terms of healthcare savings and improved quality of life. Fixing housing saves money and it saves lives,” says Paul Haan, executive director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan and gubernatorial appointee to the State of Michigan’s Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission.
People wearing bright red t-shirts are canvasing some of the neighborhoods and festivals in Grand Rapids starting this June – but they’re not stumping for a political candidate: They’re hoping that homes in the city will Get the Lead Out! Armed with free lead-testing kits and brochures, these team members from the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan are letting people know about federal funds available to make lead abatement possible.
March 16, 2017 - Governor Appoints Local Advocate to Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission
Governor Snyder appointed Paul Haan, Executive Director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, to the newly formed Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission created by Executive Order today. The Commission will advance the work completed by a temporary board appointed in 2016. Haan and Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss served on the former board that issued a set of recommendations in November 2016.
March 9, 2017 - ALERT - Power Outages Increase Risk for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
West Michigan residents are at increased risked of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning during power outages when generators are used in an unsafe manner. According to a 2015 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) report, nearly one in five of CO exposures in the state can be traced back to unsafe generator usage, often linked to severe weather events. The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan is alerting residents who have lost power to take precaution if they choose to use a generator as a supplemental source of electricity. (Release includes safety tips for using generators).
September 9, 2016 - Release - FEMA Awards Healthy Homes Coalition $51,451 for Fire Safety Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced an award of $51,451 September 9, 2016 to the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan to make 400 homes safer for children. The award will allow the Healthy Homes Coalition to teach fire safety and install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in 400 homes.
Grand Rapids, Flint, Detroit, and Jackson County saw an increased incidence of lead poisoned children in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the same time period in 2015 (April – June) according to data recently released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan and local partners suspect that some of the increase may be an unfortunate but avoidable side effect of increased reinvestment in Grand Rapids’ older neighborhoods.
Governor Snyder appointed Paul Haan, Executive Director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, and Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss to the newly formed Child Lead Poisoning Elimination Board created by Executive Order on June 10, 2016.
March 10, 2016 - Release- Town Hall Meeting on Lead Poisoning in Grand Rapids
Details on an event to be held at 6:30pm Thursday, March 10 at LINC Gallery, 341 Hall SE
March 8, 2016 - Media Advsiory - Town Hall Meeting on Lead Poisoning in Grand Rapids
Announcing event to be held at 6:30pm Thursday, March 10 at LINC Gallery, 341 Hall SE
February 12, 2015 - Carbon Monoxide Kills: More Than Half of Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Occur During the Winter Months (828 KB)
Media alert on carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter months.
September 15, 2014 - Get the Lead Out! Press Kit
Get the Lead Out! - now in 10th year - announces deadline for applications to make GR homes lead safe.
To be considered for the funding, applications should be received by Dec. 1
Press kit contains: press release, fact sheet, media sources, images, b-roll, additional reports and resources.
Past Releases
Publications
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In the News
October 2014 - Lead poisoning prevention as economic development (The Rapidian)
September 2014 - Getting the word out about Get the Lead Out (Michigan Radio)
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Credit Dustin Dwyer / Michigan Radio
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Events
Training Opportunity: Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners
When: November 6 & 7 - 8:30am-5:00pm
Where: Home Repair Servies
1100 S. Division
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Cost: Free with optional lunch
The 2-day training will help you understand the connection between health and housing and how to take a holistic approach to identify and resolve problems that threaten the health and well-being of residents.
Lead Safe Painting and Home Repair Class
Planning on making repairs to your pre-1978 home now or in the future? You are invited to a FREE class to learn how to keep your children safe while making repairs to your home.
Dates:
Wednesday, October 29th from 1:00pm-2:30pm
Monday, November 24th from 2:00pm-3:30pm
Where: Home Repair Services, 1100 South Division, Grand Rapids
Call (616) 241-3300 to register.
Did You Know...
More than ten million school days are missed each year due to asthma.
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The Need for Universal Lead Testing
At Healthy Homes Coalition, we advocate for universal testing, lead paint removal & correction, and continuing knowledge of the issue. You should ask for your child to be tested for lead every year, up to age 3, and yearly up to age 5 if lead hazards are present in home. Once you have evidence of lead in the home, take action. If you live in Kent County, you can call Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan for a home environmental hazards screening, which can identify causes of lead poisoning and remove the hazards through case management.
Healthy Homes Coalition is looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals to help serve our community!