Parents win BIG Victory!
On Thursday, April 25, the Kent County Board of Commissioners approved funding for two staff positions to investigate homes that are lead-poisoning children. Landlords who fail to act to be held accountable.
In Case of Emergency
If you or someone you know with asthma is suffering from an asthma attack get to an emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Asthma
Make Your Property Asthma Friendly
If people can’t breathe, they don’t stay. Properties with more asthma triggers can lead to higher turnover rates.
Mold & Moisture
Mold and Moisture can be triggers for people with asthma and allergies. Before renting out your property there are a few things you can do to address issues of mold and moisture. Addressing mold and moisture will help improve tenant retention and will increases the value of your property. Promptly address reports of leaks and moisture. Maintain roofs, gutters, and drainage. Provide dehumidifiers for damp basements. Consider installing mechanical ventilation in bathroom and kitchens, because who wants to shower next to an open window on a cold winter day?
Pest Management
Rodents and pests not only destroy your property, but they can also be triggers for asthma and allergies. The longer an infestation persists, the more the allergens build up around the house.
Carpets
Current evidence shows that carpeting is problematic for people with allergies and asthma. Dust mites and other particulates that are contained within carpeting can be triggers. Despite the greater cost upfront, replacing carpets with durable, hard-surfaced flooring can be more cost-effective in the long run by reducing maintenance costs at turnover.
Smoking
By enforcing smoke-free housing policies, you are providing a safe and attractive place to live. Secondhand smoke increases the severity and number of asthma attacks, and has be proven to even contribute tot he development of asthma in young children. HUD provides a useful guide on the benefits of implementing smoke-free housing.
For more information on making your property asthma friendly, contact the Healthy Homes Coalition.
Did You Know...
More than ten million school days are missed each year due to asthma.
Resources
Toolkit for Smoke Free Housing(6.2 MB)
HUD Toolkit for Owners and Management on implementing smoke free housing.
Let's Double-Down for Children with Asthma Like Louian
Little Louian's recently renovated home was in good condition, yet there were still things about the home environment that triggered Louian's asthma. Things had gotten so out of control that Louian ended up in the emergency room four times in a year. Healthy Homes provided Louian's mom with the knowledge, skills, and tools she needed to take action.
But this is just one of many families in need of support. Asthma attacks are the leading reason kids are going to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s emergency room. We need to do more to keep children like Louian from hurting, and we can with your help.
Healthy Housing Goes Global
In November of 2018, the World Health Organization stepped firmly into the healthy housing world when it released its WHO Housing and Health Guidelines. While local conditions are different all over the world, the strategies WHO suggests are universal and certainly apply to Grand Rapids.