This application by the Council of the Southern Mountains is to develop an application or “app,” along with a coordinating website, called “Healthy Habitat Help” for use with modern communications technologies such as: smart phones, tablets and computers. The identified community needs this project will address are, as derived from the CSM Community Needs Assessment completed by this agency are Healthy Futures and Environment Stewardship. The Council of Southern Mountains proposes to serve low to moderate income families at 200 percent of the 2014 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
An overview of the goals and measurable objectives related to this proposal includes:
Goal: Utilize current technology for client education, developed by professionals that could also be utilized for Client Education and extrapolated into a national resource for Healthy Homes. Objective: Staff will access the Healthy Habitat formats to instruct all Weatherization Assistance Program consumers. Objective: At least 50 consumers will access the technology sites for on-going refresher updates to maintain healthy homes. This will be measured by site dashboards and consumer surveys.
Goal: Technology utilization will prolongs the life of weatherization measures and equipment installed. Objective: Consumers will maintain healthy measures by accessing the app and or website for up to date maintenance or improved utilization techniques. This will be measured by site dashboards and consumer surveys by weatherization staff.
Goal: Provide present and on-going tips on energy-saving activities to consumers to maintain safe, healthy homes. Objective: Update the “app” and website monthly to ensure the most up-to-date energy saving and hazard remediation techniques are listed.
Goal: The Healthy Habitat “app” and coordinated website will provide consumer friendly and affordable information for low-income homeowners self-remediation of hazards. Objective: Homeowners will be able to access identification of home dangers and remedial interventions, including but not all inclusive of the following potential hazards: carbon monoxide; air conditioning/heating system dangers; appliances/water heater dangers, asbestos, biological / unsanitary conditions; building structure/roofing; combustible gases; drainage; electrical and fire hazards; air pollutants; such as formaldehyde/radon; injury prevention; lead based paint, mold/moisture. This objective will be measured by surveys of consumers.
As shown by the Centers for Disease Control Healthy Homes website, “some 38 million US homes have lead-based paint hazards that can lead to childhood lead poisoning.1 In addition, injuries, respiratory diseases such as asthma, and quality of life issues have been linked to the conditions present in approximately 6 million housing units nationwide.2, 3 Homes with moderate or severe physical problems place residents at increased risk for fire, electrical injuries, falls, rodent bites, and other illnesses or injuries.2, 4 Additional issues of concern include exposure to pesticide residues, indoor toxicants, tobacco smoke, and combustion gases. The burning of oil, gas, and kerosene can release a variety of combustion products, such as carbon monoxide. With proper education, home maintenance equipment, or testing, many of these home-related issues can be reduced or eliminated.”