Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Post

Connecticut has launched a new state program to remediate lead paint in homes, aiming to reduce lead poisoning in a state with aging infrastructure. The program, funded by $20 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, will clean up lead in between 250 and 350 homes, with no income restrictions for homeowners or renters. #housinginfrastructure #leadremediation #americanrescueplan

Solid piece by L. Vance Taylor.... "We need to start by recognizing that individuals with disabilities, older adults and anyone with access and functional needs have largely been excluded from full participation in the emergency management process — not just in the United States, but worldwide. This has led to the development of emergency operations plans that address the needs of people who can run, hear and see while overlooking the access and functional considerations of the whole community. Though certainly not intentional, marginalization has occurred, and as a result there has been an unnecessary increase in harm and a deep distrust among traditionally “vulnerable” populations. Yes, emergency managers are salt-of-the-Earth people. Good, well-intentioned individuals who run toward danger because they want to help. But for decades, they widely utilized exclusive practices that brought emergency managers together with other emergency managers to develop planning, response and recovery processes absent of whole-community considerations." https://lnkd.in/eeDf86YC

📚 BLOG | AARP published a blog, "Updating State Emergency Plans to Better Protect Older Adults and Family Caregivers," reviewing the basics of State Hazard Mitigation Plans, why they matter to #OlderAdults & the importance of updating these plans to protect socially vulnerable populations. The blog also reviews the social vulnerability additions to FEMA's state mitigation planning policy guide and information on how state advocates can get involved. Read to learn more: https://ow.ly/hmsZ50S8J4O

This summer saw a significant rise in drownings across the U.S. and locally in the tri-state area, driven by unsupervised access to pools, a lack of barriers, the lifeguard shortage, and dangerous currents. New York City alone has had six fatalities at city beaches, the highest since 2019. In Suffolk County, Long Island, backyard pool drownings also spiked, with 10 reported fatalities. New Jersey’s beaches and pools have similarly experienced tragic drownings. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, and the rates have increased by 28% since 2019. Black communities are disproportionately affected, with drowning rates rising 28% for Black individuals during the same period. An alarming 40 million American adults lack basic swimming skills, with barriers like cost and lack of access exacerbating the problem in marginalized communities. Water safety is critical year-round. Read The ZAC Foundation's Co-Founder Karen Cohn 's essay in the New York Post: https://lnkd.in/e7r3U35D #DrowningPrevention #PublicSafety

Part 2 of Bisnow's investigative series on the Texas housing crisis delves into how frustrated neighbors, aging policies, and the lack of will exacerbate the state’s affordability crisis. Only 25 units are available for every 100 households in Texas. We are in urgent need of housing solutions. #TexasHousing #HousingForAll https://bit.ly/41RSBqU

Our situation in Yancey County is getting more dire, now that we're starting to puzzle together the extent of the devastation here. The word needs to get out, so we're using our platform to help that cause. The official word is that Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties were the worst hit. We still have not seen FEMA presence in town. Outside help and supplies are arriving, but help with organization and leadership is desperately needed. Our EMS, rescue, fire, and other emergency personnel are working to the max and are completely overwhelmed with what needs to be done. Our sewer and water system was decimated and there are no portapotties or places for people to use the bathroom. This will turn into a public health crisis if no plan is made for that soon. Lots of supplies are arriving today, which is wonderful, but people don't know where to drop them off and how to distribute them effectively. People from everywhere are flocking to the Town Square for help, information, and supplies. We are doing everything we can to help direct people, but good information is scarce. THE GOOD NEWS: Our community is banding together — in town and in individual "hollerhoods" (that's what we call them around here) — to organize relief, supplies, and rebuilding efforts. People are slowly becoming able to get out of their houses, or back into their neighborhoods to check on the status of their homes. Lots of reunions in the Town Square, lots of hugs, lots of tears. The NuWray will not be able to re-open until the water services are restored, which may be months. If you have reservations with us, please continue to be patient as we are focusing all our efforts on our immediate situation; we'll handle the business when we can. Please, please, please do whatever you can to lift us up in the media so that we can get the right kind of help. We will continue to post updates here as much as we can. With love, from Burnsville

Please be safe and prepare for the storm Tampa. Here are my top ten tips of what I learned from Helene's wind gusts in Georgia: 1. Don’t assume that the storm won’t hit you. Floods are dangerous but so are high winds. Help may not be easily accessible afterwards if there are downed trees, power lines, and debris in the roads. 2. Get everything you need now! Think-generators, gas, battery operated fans, different types of batteries, outdoor grills to cook, trash bags, flashlights, candles, food, and water. Fill up containers and your tub especially for boil notices and water restrictions (better to waste time than wish you had done it). Have ear plugs on hand for when it's hot and you have your windows open and you hear the loud generators. 3. Get everything you need Now. If the power is out in your neighborhood, it might also be out everywhere. Stores may not be opened. Get your prescriptions now. Florida allows early prescriptions during emergencies. 4. Gas up your car. Without power, gas stations won’t be working. If you have a gas-powered generator you are going to want extra. You’ll need gas in your car if you must get supplies after. 5. Fill your pantry with shelf-stable foods. If you lose power for a longer period and don’t have an alternative, the food in your freezer and fridge will spoil. Have extra food for your animals as well. 6. Use your power now to get things done in case you don’t have it later. This includes washing your clothes, running your dishwasher, and charging all your devices. Get a power bank for your cell. Join Tampa, Hillsborough, and Florida alerts and Facebook groups. https://lnkd.in/eqPvpyAK 7. Plan activities for boredom. If you are a techie person, you may be at a loss of what to do with no working technology. Pull out books, board games, and other no-power activities. 8. Identify where you will go in your home when the wind picks up. Find a safe place away from windows and exterior walls where debris can come through. Have your important documents in a safe place or with you. The Weather Channel suggests wearing a bicycle helmet to protect your head. 9. Rely on your coping skills. Acknowledge your feelings and accept them. Allow yourself to feel scared, angry, and even depressed. Coose not to stay in the negativity so you have the energy to prepare and deal with whatever happens. 10. Recognize your thinking and if it’s helping or hindering you. Admittedly what got me through the middle of the day when it got hot was reminding myself that it “could be worst”. The neighborhood I used to live in Tampa was completely flooded. I was in Asheville last month and never considered a hurricane could bring such devastation there. There are still countries in wars with no power and regular bombing. My inconvenience and feeling uncomfortable was nothing compared to what other people have been going through. However, if this truly is your worst-then allow yourself time to be upset and grieve.

Today kicks off childhood lead poisoning prevention week in Milwaukee where more than 4000 children will be poisoned in almost 8000 Milwaukee homes just this year. While the City's heroic work as driven these numbers down over the years, more should be done. First simply requiring the Wisconsin Department of Health to enforce state law that requires them to identify these lead poisoning homes would help families be aware of the lead hazards in their community. It would also dramatically illustrate the degree and extent of this pervasive problem. The City could do more to regulate lead hazards through their building code similar to Cleveland. Simply enforcing existing building code that bans deteriorated plant would be a force multiplier in prevention. These two solutions would require NO additional legislative action. Simply enforcing laws that are already on the books. Join me in advocating for thousands of children that have the misfortune to live in the wrong zip codes.

Our report highlights the significant challenges faced by children in the aftermath of the 2018 Northern California wildfire season. Areas with lower homeownership experienced a 51% higher risk of asthma-related emergency department visits: https://lnkd.in/gkGnKUNP #HealthDisparities #Asthma

Exciting news! The Orange County Fire Rescue Department (#OCFRD), in collaboration with the Gunner Martin Foundation (@the_gunner_martin_foundation), is thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing community safety: the provision of complimentary door alarms to local residents. These state-of-the-art alarms are designed to serve as a vital barrier against potential water-related accidents by promptly alerting guardians or caregivers the moment a door leading to a body of water is opened. To take advantage of this life-saving opportunity and schedule an installation, please visit OCFL.net/DoorAlarms. Together, let’s ensure a safer environment for all! 😊 #OrangeCountyFireRescue #GunnerMartinFoundation #DoorAlarms #WaterSafety #CommunitySafety #CentralFlorida #SafetyFirst #HomeInstallation #Prevention #AlertSystems #Partnership #SafetyInitiative #CommunitySupport #Alerts #Caregivers #ResidentialSafety #OCFL #SafetyCampaign #LifeSavingInitiative