Conference to Address Serious Health and Safety Concerns in Housing Today
Media Contacts:
Victoria O’Banion, Rebuilding Together, 202.603.2160, vobanion@rebuildingtogether.org
Shantae Goodloe, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 202.402.6607, Shantae.M.Goodloe@hud.gov
Washington, DC (April 22, 2014) – Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit with a vision of a safe and healthy home for every person, is pleased to announce that the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) and the National Center for Healthy Housing and its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Housing Solutions, Inc. (NCHH/Solutions), will be Platinum Supporters of the 2014 National Healthy Homes Conference in Nashville May 28-30.
The conference, titled Leading the Nation to Healthy Homes, Families, and Communities, is co-hosted by Rebuilding Together and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will bring together housing and health professionals from the public and private sectors to share new research and emerging trends, as well as to inform housing policy to help prevent and remediate unsafe housing conditions for families.
“This is an important, dynamic time for our field,” said Ruth Ann Norton, president and CEO of GHHI. “With the passing of the Affordable Care Act, increased focus on energy efficiency, and innovations in social impact financing, this conference represents a significant opportunity for healthy homes practitioners to collaborate and gain momentum toward our collective mission: ensuring all families have access to healthy, safe, and energy-efficient homes. We are delighted to partner with HUD, Rebuilding Together, and all of the organizations contributing to the success of this important event.”
As leading national organizations in the movement towards healthier homes, GHHI and NCHH/Solutions bring expertise and experience on a wide range of issues at the intersection of housing and health. Representatives from both organizations will also lead sessions and exhibit at the conference.
“This conference will serve as a catalyzing moment for all those committed to safe and healthy
housing—advocates, funders, practitioners, and policymakers will come with their best ideas and leave with new resolve and action plans,” said NCHH executive director Rebecca Morley.
“I’m looking forward to tapping the energies and passions of leaders from across the country to take the healthy homes movement into the mainstream of American housing,” added Jack Anderson, Solutions’ President and CEO.
The conference will feature more than 150 sessions and workshops and a lineup of nationally recognized speakers. Over 1,000 professionals from the public health, housing, safety, and environmental communities will collaborate and share ideas for improving the health of the nation’s homes and communities.
“We are pleased that GHHI and NCHH/Solutions have joined us in the growing movement against safety and health hazards in homes,” said Charley Shimanski, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “We are excited to share this passion at the National Healthy Homes Conference, which will bring together leaders and stakeholders involved in this important issue and create an opportunity to offer solutions to improve the lives and homes of at-risk seniors, families with children, veterans, and those with disabilities.”
To learn more, including how to register, visit www.healthyhomesconference.org.
About the National Healthy Homes Conference:
HUD is partnering with Rebuilding Together, HGTV, and DIY Network to host more than 1,000 national health and safety experts in Nashville May 28-30, at the 2014 National Healthy Homes Conference (NHHC). The conference will bring together housing and health professionals from the public and private sectors to share new research and emerging trends, as well as to inform housing policy to help prevent and remediate unsafe housing conditions for families. You can find out more information, including how to register, at www.healthyhomesconference.org.
About Rebuilding Together:
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 187 local affiliates complete more than 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals, and everyday good citizens. Join us—visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.
About the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative:
The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative® (GHHI®) is dedicated to breaking the link between unhealthy housing and unhealthy children. Formerly the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, GHHI replaces stand-alone housing intervention programs with an integrated, whole-house approach that produces sustainable green, healthy, and safe homes. As a result, we are improving health, economic, and social outcomes for families across the country.
With support from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Energy (DOE), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Council on Foundations, and numerous philanthropic partners, GHHI serves as the national model for green and healthy homes interventions, and has produced 4,900 GHHI housing units nationwide. GHHI continues to increase its impact across 16 sites: Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Dubuque, Flint, Jackson, New Haven, Oakland, Philadelphia, Providence, Salt Lake, and San Antonio. Learn more at www.ghhi.org or follow us @HealthyHousing.
About the National Center for Healthy Housing and Healthy Housing Solutions:
The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) is the preeminent national nonprofit dedicated to creating safe and healthy housing for America’s families. Our research provides the scientific basis for federal, state, and local policies and programs. NCHH has trained nearly 45,000 individuals in healthy housing practices since 2005. Our advocacy efforts ensure that health is considered in housing policy and that housing is valued as a determinant of health. Through partnerships, we can reduce health disparities in low-income communities and communities of color. Learn more about NCHH at www.nchh.org, @nchh, Facebook.com/HealthyHousing, and http://vimeo.com/59202134.
Healthy Housing Solutions, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NCHH, which was established in 2003 to assist clients in developing, managing, and evaluating projects that support the creation of healthier homes for all Americans. Solutions is a certified small business and residential environmental health and safety consulting firm that supports federal, state, and local agencies and private sector organizations. Learn more at www.healthyhousingsolutions.com.