NLC launched the Healthy Housing Local Action Challenge (HHLAC) in 2022 to help cities reduce home-based health hazards such as lead and asthma triggers. Lead exposure in homes contributes to lifelong cognitive challenges, and asthma triggers disrupt learning and work for millions of vulnerable families nationwide. NLC’s HHLAC partners include the National Center for Healthy Housing, the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, and ChangeLab Solutions.
As the one-year anniversary of the initial launch approaches, NLC is calling on municipal leaders to take the challenge and make their communities safer from the danger of lead.
Is the HHLAC Right for Your Community?
If you’re unsure if your community might benefit from joining the HHLAC, look at this interactive map from the CDC displaying the prevalence of homes built before 1980. Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978, so homes built before that year have an increased risk of the presence of harmful levels of lead in the home.
Even if your community has low levels of housing built prior to 1980, there may be environmental conditions that increase the presence of asthma triggers in homes (click the link to see a map of asthma prevalence among adults).
What Taking the Challenge Means
The Healthy Housing Local Action Challenge outlines a clear approach to improving health outcomes through housing, and communities that take the challenge have special access to leading organizations and subject matter experts in the field of healthy housing. The HHLAC identifies three Action Areas, each with their own accompanying actions that communities can take:
- Action Area 1: Identify and assess healthy housing needs
- Complete a City Assessment, analyze local data, engage community partners, and build your local coalition
- Action Area 2: Implement a policy, program, or practice that improves healthy housing
- Identify your local Champion for healthy housing, commit to a sustainable solution, consider potential roadblocks, conduct outreach to the community, and plan your timeline with well-defined local goals
- Action Area 3: Evaluate the impact of the implemented policy, program, or practice and share that information with other cities interested in doing the same.
- Assess local achievements and needs, determine what impact the action taken has had on improving health and equity, and become a peer leader to help other communities
Communities can take the HHLAC at their current level or start with Action Area 1 and work their way through all three! The HHLAC offers quarterly learning labs, with opportunities for peer sharing and support; a City Assessment and other tools targeted at assisting communities to advance through the action areas; and local examples of successful programs and practices to achieve healthy housing goals.
Take the Healthy Housing Local Action Challenge
To take the Challenge, simply visit this site and complete and submit the form! We’ll be in touch to schedule an onboarding call. We’re looking forward to partnering with your municipality on your healthy housing journey.
Please email healthyhousing@nlc.org if you have any questions or would like additional information.
In Case You Missed It: NLC Healthy Housing Local Action Challenge and Community of Practice launch event 08.16.2022
- From the event (click the link to view the event recording and access the slide deck): Cities Take Action to Provide Safe and Healthy Housing: Take the Local Action Challenge!
- About the Healthy Housing Local Action Challenge (click the link to learn more about the Local Action Challenge)
About the Author
From the Event: How to Apply for HUD Healthy Housing Funding
Exploring the Connection Between Healthy Housing & Mental Health
Maximizing Community Partnerships to Advance Healthy Housing
How Roanoke Became a Healthy Housing Change Agent
- Leah Ford
- Becky O’Meara, MSW
From the Event: Taking the Challenge: Assessing Healthy Housing Needs
How Cities Are Shaping Policy to Better Ensure Healthy Housing
- Leah Ford