The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC) has recently posted the Healthy Homes Program Guidance Manual – Pre-Release Draft (Manual) on its webpage. It was written for everyone interested in developing or expanding a Healthy Homes program.  Substantial savings in health care costs and improved quality of life can be achieved by reducing health and safety hazards in the home. The Manual, which was three years in the making, reflects lessons learned and insights from diverse healthy homes programs and stakeholders in the healthy housing movement. It is based on proven approaches and techniques, and the most current research. The Manual focuses on the Seven Principles of a Healthy Home – Keep it: Dry, Clean, Safe, Ventilated, Pest-Free, Contaminant-Free, and Maintained. The Manual also includes guidance, tools, and case studies to help establish and improve Healthy Homes programs.  Chapters include: Community Involvement; Program Design; Health & Safety Assessment; Intervention Strategies; Program Evaluation; and Sustainability.

Healthy Housing Solutions, Inc., the National Center for Healthy Housing’s wholly owned subsidiary, developed the Manual under contract to HUD OHHLHC.  Solutions oversaw a work group made up of federal, state and local government representatives, public health professionals, and healthy homes experts, all of whom provided valuable data, information, insight, comments and feedback. The link below will take you to HUD OHHLHC’s webpage where you can individually open and view the chapters or print out the entire Manual.
 

HUD Healthy Homes Program Guidance Manual - Pre-Release Draft