Providence Healthy Homes

Project Funder: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Project Partners: City of Providence and Battelle Memorial Institute

Project Contact: Jill Breysse, jbreysse@nchh.org, 443.539.4155

Project Description

NCHH evaluated the effectiveness of lead and other environmental and safety hazard interventions in reducing dust lead loadings and cockroach and dust mite allergen levels with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Providence Lead and Healthy Homes programs assessed lead and other environmental and safety hazards in enrolled dwelling units located in low-income neighborhoods in Providence, Rhode Island. Identified lead hazards were controlled in all enrolled units, while half of enrolled units were randomly selected for treatment of other identified environmental and safety hazards. Interventions focused on lead-based paint hazards, cockroach and dust mite allergens, moisture-generating conditions, carbon monoxide, and conditions that might cause unintentional injuries. The results showed that dust lead loadings in both groups significantly decreased after treatment. The one-year post-intervention results showed that dust lead loadings in both treatment groups remained well below pre-intervention levels. With respect to dust mite and cockroach allergens, there were no significant changes in allergen concentrations between pre- and one-year post-intervention.

Resources

Evaluation of the Healthy Homes Program for the City of Providence: Summary of Pre- and Immediate Post-Intervention Results [pdf; NCHH, 2004]

Evaluation of the Healthy Homes Program for the City of Providence: Summary of One-Year Post-Intervention Results [pdf; NCHH, 2004]

Latest page update: April 24, 2018.