2/3/2013
Columbia, MD (February 4, 2013) – Today, the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) applauded the introduction of Advancing Healthy Housing – A Strategy for Action, the federal government’s response to the burgeoning health care and economic burdens caused by preventable health and safety hazards in the home.
The Strategy, developed by the interagency Healthy Homes Work Group (HHWG), outlines the federal goals and priorities for promoting healthy housing over the next three to five years.
“The agencies have put forth a strong plan that will improve the quality of housing backed by the federal government and engage market forces,” said Rebecca Morley, executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH).
As part of the announcement, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will require radon testing and mitigation for Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured multifamily mortgage applications for new construction and significant rehabilitation, and certain FHA-insured refinancing programs. HUD is urging similar action for millions of public housing units. “Radon kills more people than drunk driving each year and is the top cause of lung cancer among non-smokers,” said Morley. “Healthy housing deserves to be a national priority.”
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