Healthy Homes in Alaska

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) partnered with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) to conduct Healthy Homes project activities in Fairbanks and in Hooper Bay. The purpose of the Healthy Homes Initiative was to demonstrate cost effective, preventive measures to correct health hazards in the home environment that produce serious upper respiratory illness in children. This was a two-year project that included the University of Alaska and State Weatherization Agencies. The Healthy Homes project added additional services to the weatherization protocol addressing the sources of moisture in the home and the removal and replacement of water-damaged materials and furnishings. It also assessed the effect of resultant changes in indoor air quality on the health of the residents. Whether and how older housing can be successfully remediated, or whether housing funds should be prioritized to new housing is an important decision for AHFC and HUD. A Final Report was sent to HUD in March 2005 and is available from CCHRC on a CD. Click to view the Executive Summary by CCHRC Research Director, John Davies.