National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH)

Since 1992, NCHH has served as a highly regarded and credible change agent, successfully integrating healthy housing program and capacity building, research, and advocacy under one roof to reduce health disparities and improve housing quality nationwide. Program and Capacity Building: NCHH is a valuable resource to federal, state, and local agencies due to its unique ability to identify and convert credible science, technical expertise, and over 20 years of practical experience into accessible and useful information for dissemination, local adaptation, and program growth. NCHH uses this wealth of knowledge and skill to provide technical assistance, strategic planning, and program evaluation for a variety of program innovation and planning tasks. Relevant examples of our work include leading the Grassroots Advocacy Network to develop and test local policies and solutions for healthy housing and developing a Healthcare Financing Resource Library, which identifies strategies to finance healthy homes services through the healthcare system. Research: NCHH designs research and evaluation activities with both policy and practice in mind and translates credible, science-based research into practical solutions. Previous efforts have provided valuable insights into topics such as the effectiveness of lead hazard control interventions and the impact of green housing on occupant health. Current research includes studies that evaluate the health benefits of green affordable housing and improve the quality of life of low-income older adults so that they may safely remain in their homes. Advocacy: NCHH’s advocacy efforts provide expertise, facilitation, and support to government agencies, legislative bodies, and advocates as they establish policies to create healthier homes through laws and regulations. Promotion of the National Healthy Housing Standard, which is intended to eliminate hazardous conditions in existing housing, is a current example of our work.