Building Systems to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Project Funder: Funding for this project is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Project Period: July 1, 2021 – September 30, 2024.

Project Contact: Laura Fudala, lfudala@nchh.org, 443.539.4167.

Project Description

NCHH is collaborating with EPA to operate as a central knowledge base and provide flexible technical assistance to support communities in taking systems-level action to reduce indoor air risks. The purpose of the proposed work is to celebrate, map, and spread successful policies and systems; instigate new communities to take action; and encourage communities to climb the ladder of engagement, taking actions that achieve cross-sector partnerships and put sustainable, systems-level policies and programs in place. Without this support, many communities that are primed for change may not be able to mobilize effectively to improve indoor environments or expand and sustain existing efforts.

As part of this effort, NCHH selected five communities for a bundled award of coaching and support over 18 months that includes on-call access to technical assistance from a network of national experts, opportunities to engage in peer learning, and a $15,000 grant. A semifinalist was also selected to receive optional technical assistance and a $5,000 grant. Additional detail regarding the selected communities and their awarded projects is available here.

Additionally, under this project, NCHH has:

Finally, and most critically, NCHH has been able to provide customized, flexible technical assistance (TA), including access to a peer learning community, at no charge to over 40 additional communities beyond the competitively awarded cohort working to take systems-level action to holistically address indoor air quality (IAQ). Additional resources will be added over the project’s final months.

Flexible and responsive, NCHH’s approach to technical assistance supports communities as both learners and leaders simultaneously while leveraging and investing in other aligned efforts. From the initial contact forward, we meet change agents where they are and together determine how NCHH can best engage to support them in creating healthy, thriving, and sustainable communities.

While the broad strategies and specific activities we might pursue with a community will vary widely and it’s virtually impossible to create a comprehensive list, below are some examples to spark your thinking and perhaps prompt you to take local action or reach out to NCHH for more on how we might help you get where you want to go as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Examples of strategies communities often bring to use to explore include improved or increased:

  • Housing codes and/or local policies
  • Data-sharing initiatives
  • Advocacy efforts
  • Cross-sector partnership (healthcare, energy, and other sectors)
  • Alternative financing mechanisms
  • Training and workforce development
  • Programs and services
  • Funding to find and fix exposures
  • Local power building/investing in local stakeholders
  • Community awareness and involvement
  • Reduction in barriers to accessing funding and services

Examples of specific activities we might work on together to advance their strategy(ies) include the following:

  • Inventorying available data
  • Analyzing housing codes
  • Holding a convening
  • Building connections with relevant stakeholders
  • Developing a business case
  • Evaluating a program or service
  • Organizing a press event
  • Visiting peer communities
  • Assessing local needs and opportunities
  • Interviewing/surveying relevant stakeholders
  • Investigating local policies
  • Providing local mini-grants
  • Drafting a concept paper to outline the vision
  • Meeting with local decision-makers
  • Creating an action-oriented awareness campaign
  • Analyzing and streamlining eligibility requirements
  • Creating new access points to services
  • Conducting a cost/benefit analysis
  • Applying for a new funding source

Ready to dive in and take action? Take five minutes to complete this brief survey and get started learning more about accessing a peer learning community and/or receiving customized technical assistance (TA) at no charge to support your local efforts to improve indoor air quality.

Any questions? Contact us to learn more.

Other Project Resources

Tools:

Publications and Webinars:

Improving Indoor Air Quality—Community Spotlight:

Project-Related Media Announcements:

Funding Opportunity Resources:

 

Latest page update: October 2, 2024.