“Healthy housing is the moral compass of the healthy community,” Ruth Ann Norton stated, CEO of Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI). “So, what we’re doing around climate dollars is really restorative justice work.”
As the saying goes, everything begins at home—and Detroit is doing its part to help residents have healthy beginnings with healthy homes.
According to Safiyah Merchant, Analyst for the Policy & Implementation Team for the City of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department’s (HRD), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)has eight principles for a healthy home:
- Keep it dry (roofs, plumbing)
- Keep it clean
- Keep it safe (every project has new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed; electrical; porches)
- Keep it well-ventilated
- Keep it pest-free
- Keep it contaminant-free (addressing lead hazards)
- Keep it maintained
- Keep it thermally controlled
The HRD oversees home repair programming, Merchant said, much of which utilizes funding from HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. The aim of these home repair programs is to ensure residents have access to funding that allows them to complete renovation work that is vital to maintaining housing quality and safety.
“Much of our home repair programming focuses on removing lead paint-based hazards in the home, which is a core component of healthy housing,” said Merchant.
Another part of HRD’s duties is requiring developers who receive financial support from the City of Detroit create plans “for tenant habitability when they are conducting rehabs of occupied developments.”
Merchant said this applies to rehabs of occupied development projects receiving city support, which includes direct funding as well as tax incentives or home loan modifications. The plans must address how developers will mitigate noise and air quality hazards during rehab work, as well as outline the timing of any service interruptions–such as elevator repairs–and how the developer will notify residents if emergency systems become temporarily inoperable.
One of the foremost challenges in creating healthy homes in Detroit is addressing environmental hazards that may have arisen due to decades of industrial activity and disinvestment. Issues such as lead-based paint, asbestos, and poor indoor air quality can severely impact residents’ health, especially vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. Remediation efforts, led by both government initiatives and community organizations, have been instrumental in tackling these hazards. Through lead abatement programs, stricter regulations, and education campaigns, significant progress has been made in reducing lead exposure and improving indoor air quality.
“It benefits us all to capture the brilliance of every child and to have the dignity of caring for our elderly,” said Ruth Ann Norton, the CEO of Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI).
Norton stated the facts regarding the benefits of such dwellings: it saves billions of dollars for the federal government, lowers utilities bills, reduces Medicaid dollars, improves education dollars, reduces crimes and improves housing stability. In a study of 240 families, Norton said, 139 of them had children with chronic asthma that kept them out of school for more than 20 days. Sixty-six percent of the families had reductions in hospitalization.
The Detroit Home Repair Fund–which is a collaborative GHHI co-leads with Enterprise Community Partners and helps coordinate funds from Rocket Mortgage Foundation, Gilbert Family Foundation, Erb Foundation, and Ford Foundation–has completed healthy housing renovations in 33 homes to date, with another 66 actively in progress. On average, Norton said, the fund spent about an average of $20,000 to restore baseline health measures in housing. That means fall prevention, asthma trigger reduction, lead reduction and basic indoor air quality.
“Healthy housing is the moral compass of the healthy community,” Norton stated. “So, what we’re doing around climate dollars is really restorative justice work.”
To that end, GGHI is advocating and taking a measured, holistic approach to getting such projects done so no one is left behind, particularly those in underresourced communities who are repeatedly so.
The organization’s goal is to close the racial wealth gap, which is currently 8 to 1 between White and Black Americans when it comes to the home value, in order to help create intergenerational wealth for African Americans. What tends to deplete that housing wealth is issues like mold, lead paint and degraded foundations, such as what happened to many Detroit housing due to the flood of June 2021.
Detroit has a lead-control program, Norton said, which has healthy housing money to address issues like asthma, radon, injuries and other health-based concerns. There are also the Healthy Homes Production funds for assisting with similar situations, and Mayor Duggan’s ARPA program to help residents with roofing. Other forthcoming funds are going to programs such as doing the electrical upgrades for housing and remove appliances using fossil fuels, such as gas stoves and water heaters.
Access to affordable and energy-efficient housing is a key component of creating healthy homes. Detroit has been grappling with a significant number of vacant properties, and revitalization efforts should prioritize renovating and repurposing these structures. Initiatives promoting energy efficiency, such as weatherization programs and the installation of energy-saving appliances, not only reduce residents’ utility bills but also contribute to a greener and healthier environment. Collaborations between government agencies, nonprofits, and private developers can help ensure that affordable housing options are available to all residents, fostering stable communities and improving overall well-being.
A healthy home extends beyond addressing external hazards; it also encompasses creating environments that promote physical and mental well-being. Strategies such as promoting natural light, adequate ventilation, and the use of non-toxic materials in construction and renovation projects can significantly improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory ailments and allergies. Education and awareness programs can help residents understand the importance of maintaining clean and clutter-free living spaces, reducing the risk of accidents, and supporting overall mental health.
Access to green spaces and community engagement are vital for fostering healthy living environments. Detroit has witnessed inspiring grassroots efforts to transform vacant lots into vibrant community gardens and parks. These green spaces not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of neighborhoods but also promote physical activity, social interaction, and mental well-being. Collaborative initiatives involving local residents, community organizations, and city officials can revitalize public spaces and create safe havens for families to enjoy nature and engage in recreational activities.
Alyssa Strickland-Knight, the Detroit Land Bank Authority’s (DBLA) Associate Director of Public Relations and Strategic Initiatives, said that the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DBLA) does not offer financing for healthy housing since it is not financial institution.
DLBA buyers are expected to comply with all Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) permitting and occupancy requirements, including lead removal, Strickland-Knight said. The organization does offer buyers educational materials about the dangers of lead and information about how to find qualified lead remediation companies.
She told the Michigan Chronicle that there are buyers going through DLBA who are interested in focusing on a home’s finishing touches while wishing to avoid the biggest renovation challenges. The organization’s Rehabbed and Ready team recently listed their first “Rehabbed and Ready to Renovate” house as part of a pilot program.
“Rehabbed & Ready to Renovate houses are sold partially renovated or as ‘white boxed, as it is called in the industry,” Strickland-Knight said. ‘That means the contractor/seller–in this case the DLBA – has completed the most challenging aspects of the renovation, including structural repairs, environmental hazard remediation, and mechanical upgrades. The buyer is still responsible for the finishes, including flooring, cabinetry, interior doors, wall treatments/paint, etc.”
Creating healthy homes in Detroit is a multifaceted endeavor that requires addressing environmental hazards, ensuring access to affordable and energy-efficient housing, promoting healthy indoor environments, and fostering community engagement. By prioritizing these aspects, Detroit can continue its journey toward becoming a city where all residents have the opportunity to live in safe, sustainable, and thriving neighborhoods. The transformation of homes into healthier living spaces not only improves individual well-being but also strengthens the fabric of the entire community, contributing to a brighter and more prosperous future for the Motor City.
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