8/5/2010
Livable Communities Act of 2010 Marks First Bill to Include Healthy Housing Provisions
Columbia, MD (August 5, 2010) –The Livable Communities Act of 2010 passed another major legislative milestone this week when it was reported out of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. It is the first major legislation to include healthy housing provisions, representing an unprecedented commitment from Capitol Hill to work for healthier housing for all Americans.
The Livable Communities Act of 2010, championed by Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT), proposes a nation-wide plan to promote livable communities through sustainable infrastructure for transportation, housing, land use and economic development. The act establishes an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC) as well as an independent, Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities in the executive branch to administer and oversee grants that support building and development projects at the local, regional and nation levels.
The National Center for Healthy Housing applauds Senator Dodd for working closely with long-time healthy housing advocate, Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to incorporate healthy homes language and provisions into the bill.
“I am pleased the Banking Committee approved this bill. This is an important step toward making healthy homes a reality for more families across the country. Residents of poorly designed, constructed or maintained housing are at greater risk for serious illnesses and injuries, including cancer, asthma and childhood lead poisoning, and this bill targets housing related health hazards in order to reduce these health risks,” said Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.).
“The Livable Communities Act of 2010 reflects a much needed commitment to improve substandard housing for all families. With nearly 6 million U.S. households living in homes with plumbing problems, electrical hazards, water leaks and pest infestations, the legislation provides resources to help families attain healthier living environments,” said Rebecca Morley, executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing.
“The healthy housing provisions of the Livable Communities Act of 2010 moves federal policy and funding to meet the needs that we are seeing at the local level,” said Ronald Kraatz, LAMPP project director at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Healthy Housing provisions in the Livable Communities Act of 2010 include:
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Creation of an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate policies and initiatives that foster livable communities which provide long-term affordable, accessible, energy efficient, healthy, location-efficiency housing choices.
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A new Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities with responsibilities that include supporting healthy housing, recommending legislation or other actions to eradicate housing-related health hazards, and conducting a detailed study of how sustainable building features, such as energy efficiency, in housing affect the quality of the indoor environment, the prevalence of housing-related health hazards, and the health of occupants.
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A new Community Zoning and Land Use Planning Grant and Building Code Enforcement Grant Program. The competitive grant program will provide grants to states, localities, and tribal authorities to fund code updates and enforcement. This provision largely incorporates the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act of 2009, key healthy housing legislation supported by the National Safe and Healthy Housing Coalition and the International Code Council.
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Two new grant programs that will advance healthy homes at the local level, including a Comprehensive Planning Grant Program totaling $475 million and a Sustainability Challenge Grant Program totaling $2.2 billion over four years.
Learn more about NCHH’s efforts to make healthy housing a law.