HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 6/25/2019 - Memorandum From Selina Lujan Re: Indoor Air Quality - Healthy Homes Program 2018 Year End Review1
Environmental Services
222 Laporte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6600
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 12, 2019
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Lucinda Smith, Environmental Services Director
Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager
FROM: Selina Lujan, Sr. Air Quality Specialist
RE: Indoor Air Quality – Healthy Homes Program 2018 Year End Review
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an annual status update regarding the City’s
Healthy Homes indoor air quality assessment program.
Bottom Line
The City’s Healthy Homes program was first implemented in 2011 to provide tools and knowledge
to help create and maintain a safe and healthy indoor air quality environment at home. In 2018,
104 in home assessments were performed, and the program was the recipient of a U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary’s Award for Healthy Homes in
the category of Policy and Innovation.
Background
In 2011 the program was formed in response to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to
promote Healthy Homes, listing indoor air quality as a high environmental risk and a serious public
health concern. Other considerations included the following:
Americans, on average, spend more than 90% of their time indoors and indoor air quality is
typically 5 times worse than outdoor air quality.
Since 1994, the City of Fort Collins has conducted air quality surveys which have
consistently indicated that approximately 1 out 4 households have a family member with an
identified respiratory ailment.
Through a collaborative effort including staff, volunteers, and partnerships, the program has
supported the respiratory health of Fort Collins community members for almost 8 years. Through
training, volunteer Master Home Educators are equipped to conduct indoor air quality assessments
that identify common problems throughout the home, how to fix them, and communicate the health
implications of those problems.
2018 Year End Review
The following outlines key accomplishments in 2018:
Assessments:
o 104 assessments completed in 2018 (target is 100)
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o 4 assessment were completed in Spanish
o 77% of homes assessed for Healthy Homes implemented three or more of the
recommendations given (target is 75%)
o 33% of homes assessed had a member with asthma or respiratory problems, which is a
target population for the program
o 107 smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were distributed
Master Home Educators:
o 19 new Master Home Educators were trained
o 862 volunteer hours were contributed in 2018
Process Improvements:
o In 2017, the program staff released an online “Do It Yourself (DIY)” indoor air quality
assessment tool to further meet the health needs of the community and optimize staff
and volunteer time (https://healthyhomes.fcgov.com/).
In 2018, 60 online DIY assessments were completed
Recognitions:
o In 2018, Healthy Homes became a nationally recognized as a recipient of the HUD
Secretary’s Award for Healthy Homes in the category of Policy and Innovation.
Next steps
Staff is currently promoting June as National Healthy Homes Month. Volunteer training in 2019 will
occur in September. Additionally, staff is researching health equity aspects of the program to
determine how the program could better address health disparities related to indoor air quality with
more equitable access for all community members.
Attachments
Healthy Homes 2018 Year End Review
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MASTER HOME EDUCATOR
CONTRIBUTION
42 active Master Home Educators
19 Master Home Educators trained in 2018
862 hours contributed by Master Home
Educators in 2018
$22,400 saved through hours contributed by
Master Home Educators
Master Home Educators complete an average of
3 assessments per year
TESTIMONIALS:
I take the health of my home seriously and I know
there is always room for improvement. Having the
Healthy Home team come and take a look at my house
put my mind at ease by providing concrete steps I can
take to improve the health and safety for my whole
family. Thank you Healthy Homes! – Emily A.
The Master Home Educators helped me confirm a few
suspicions and point out a few areas of concern I was
underestimating the severity of.
These guys knew their stuff and this was all very
helpful advice and I appreciate them coming out and
doing this inspection.
I’m sharing with everyone around me my newfound
enthusiasm for air quality so it was good to be able to
chat with fellow enthusiasts.” – Colby R.
HEALTHY HOMES IMPACT
835 total number of assessments
completed since 2011 through 2018
104 assessments completed in 2018
60 Fort Collins Do-It-Yourself assessments
completed in 2018
33% of homes assessed had residents with
asthma or respiratory problems
70 actions were taken to reduce chemical
contaminants in the home
77% of homes completed at least
3 recommendations
107 smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms distributed
72 radon tests completed
METRICS PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR
Percentage of Master Home Educators who complete
required 1 year (12 assessments) commitment
Percentage of residents reporting improved health
and safety
YEAR END REVIEW
2018
MISSION: Create a healthier community by improving
indoor air quality and promoting a safe home environment
through volunteer-based education and action.
19-21247
OBJECTIVE: Reach approximately 100 homes per year.
2018
recipient of the HUD
Secretary’s Award for
Healthy Homes in the
Policy and Education
Innovation
category
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