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Spirit Lake Tribe Indoor Air Quality and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI)

Spirit Lake Tribe Indoor Air Quality and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI). Beginning the Journey. What is the GHHI?.

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Spirit Lake Tribe Indoor Air Quality and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI)

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  1. Spirit Lake Tribe Indoor Air Quality and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) Beginning the Journey

  2. What is the GHHI? • The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is a public-private partnership that refocuses how we as a nation repair and improve housing in economically challenged communities. • GHHI is leading a national strategy to make sure all families and children live in homes that are healthy, safe, energy-efficient and sustainable Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  3. Why do we need GHHI? • Creating greener, safer, and healthier homes leads to more stable housing, a higher quality of life and better health, mental health and social and economic outcomes for parents and their children. • Investment in the development of Green and Healthy Homes creates a sustainable pathway to higher-quality "green jobs" and generates small-business ownership opportunities for residents of economically distressed communities. • Spirit Lake is currently working on developing our “Sustainable Communities Plan” which GHHI efforts were key in the tribe realizing just how far we need to go. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  4. Where it all began • The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative is a partnership between the federal government, national and local philanthropy, the National Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning and local partners in the 17 GHHI project sites - 15 cities and two Native American Tribes. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  5. Local effort with national partnerships • As we work locally, we are also working closely with federal policymakers to create new comprehensive green and healthy housing standards that integrate weatherization, energy efficiency, Healthy Homes, and lead-hazard reduction interventions. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  6. Goals of the GHHI • The goals are broad, connected and critically important: • Stabilized housing, • Healthier outcomes for children and families and, • Better jobs. • Government innovation and systems change • Family economic security Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  7. The GHHI Bottom Line: • Children and families are healthier and have brighter prospects. • Preventable medical costs are reduced. • Energy costs for families are reduced. • More sustainable housing is created. • More well-paying green sector jobs and training opportunities are made available. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  8. How it works: • In the past, one housing program would focus on removing lead paint from a home, but ignore other safety hazards such as mold, pest infestation or inadequate staircase railings, or inefficiencies that result in excessive energy usage and costs for the occupant. A crew would remove the lead paint but do nothing to address the other issues — due to a lack of funding support, lack of training or both. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  9. GHHI visual on how it works Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  10. With GHHI, we are working with nonprofits and their partners to create new approaches that address all of a home's problems. We are creating training programs for work crews and establishing protocols to do the work more efficiently. Under this strategy, work to weatherize a home or make it more energy-efficient also incorporates critical improvements related to the health and safety of the family living there. A crew making improvements to boost energy efficiency also address all health-related hazards such as poor ventilation, water leaks, mold, pests, and lead. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  11. Economic Benefits of Green and Healthy Homes • Workers employed on Green and Healthy Homes projects increase earnings. • Fewer days are missed from school or work because of illness. • Less money is spent on doctor and emergency room visits. • Less money is spent on heating and cooling houses that are well-insulated. • Less money is spent on water as leaks and drips are fixed. • Property values for homeowners increase; landlords are better able to market Green and Healthy Homes. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  12. Some statistics Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  13. How we got started • The Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota site built off of an existing Lead Hazard Control Capacity Building Grant Program. It integrated Healthy Homes and energy efficiency along with weatherization components into a comprehensive housing program. Federal funding came from the HUD Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  14. What are we currently doing… • Funding for FY13 CAA Section 103 has been acquired. We will be conducting indoor air quality research on tribal homes. • Tribe will monitor pollutants to characterize and document indoor air quality in tribal homes. • Monitor concentrations of pollutants to determine possible air quality impairments. • Tribe will become more knowledgeable in testing and logging all complaints associated with indoor air. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  15. Partnerships and MOU • Spirit Lake Tribal Council • Spirit Lake Housing Corporation • TERO • SLT HIP/WEATHERIZATION • SLT Rental Properties • Spirit Lake Health Center Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  16. Issues we face on Spirit Lake How do we address tribal members concerns? Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  17. What causes issues? • Indoor air quality is not just a measure of a healthy lifestyle; it’s a direct reflection of a standard of living. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  18. Common Indoor Air Quality Problems • Mold • Asbestos • Radon • Lead • Formaldehyde • Bacteria • VOCs • Carbon Monoxide • Combustion Products • Environmental Tobacco Smoke • PCBs • Pesticides • Sewage Contamination • Vapor Intrusion • Allergens Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  19. What are common symptoms indicating IAQ issues? • Eye, nose, and throat irritation • Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing • Asthma attacks • Headaches • Fatigue • Aggravated allergies and asthma • Respiratory infections Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  20. Mold • Molds live in the soil, on plants, on dead or decaying organic matter • Outdoors - breaks down leaves, wood, plant debris • Indoors - air pollution and destroys buildings Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  21. Mold Basics • People have lots of different reactions to mold • Symptoms can include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints • Molds can be found almost anywhere Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  22. Cleaning Mold • Mold growth begins within 24-48 hours of getting wet • Clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture • Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely • Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles may need to be replaced • Protect staff and building occupants during cleanup Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  23. Radon • Radioactive gas • Radon in air is ubiquitous • Found in outdoor air and indoor air of buildings of all kinds  • No known safe level of radon Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  24. What health issues are associated with Radon? • Radon is number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers  • Second leading cause of lung cancer  • Responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year  • About 2,900 lung cancer deaths are among people who have never smoked **Borrowed from ITEP Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  25. Radon – EPA Action Levels • Red alert - radon level above 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) • Yellow alert - radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L • Average radon indoor air about 1.3 pCi/L • Most of the homes we’ve tested have come back with concentrations higher than 4 pCi/L. Even the Tribal K-12 school has readings exceeding the ‘Red Alert’ level. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  26. Radon Mitigation Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  27. Additional actions • The tribe conducted a Strategic Energy Plan that was necessary to discover if the steps taken with the GHHI were truly energy saving and beneficial to the tribal community. • With the assistance from our JOBS program we were able to conduct Energy Audits on over 165 homes. • These audits uncovered a minimum of 67 issues per home. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  28. Funding sources • US EPA Region 8 (CAA Section 103 IAQ) • USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants • Dept of Energy • Dept of Interior • HUD • Private foundations • Tribal Supportive funds (EDF) • Partnerships within the tribe also provide “in-kind” match and expertise. Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

  29. One final thought • “It’s much easier to fix a faulty home rather than fix a sick child” Spirit Lake Tribe NTF 2012

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