Funding-Limited submission - US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development - Healthy Homes Demonstration Program; October 12, 2009

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the availability of funding for approximately $6 million for a Healthy Homes Demonstration Program for FY2009 to fund cooperative agreements to improve methods for the identification and control of multiple residential health and safety hazards.

The major objectives of this program in priority order are to:

1. Identify and remediate priority health hazards in high risk target housing where environmental conditions may contribute to a child’s illness or risk of injury;
2. Evaluate the efficacy of Healthy Homes program activities and facilitate the dissemination of findings, with a focus on the demonstration and evaluation of novel practices and the identification of evidence-based best practices;
3. Develop a professional workforce that is trained in healthy homes assessment and remediation principles;
4. Support public education and outreach that further the goal of protecting children and other vulnerable populations from environmentally induced illnesses; and
5. Further the principles of environmental justice and fair housing by increasing the availability of safe, low income housing.

Key Residential Health and Injury Hazards Targeted for Remediation are:

1. Allergens (dust mites, cockroaches, rodents, pet dander, fungal spores) - Asthma, exacerbation of asthma symptoms, allergies, other respiratory illness
2. Combustion Products of Heating and Cooking Appliances (carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene), and airborne particulate matter) - Death, respiratory irritation, increase in asthma symptoms, cancer
3. Insects and Rodent Pests - Exacerbation of asthma symptoms, transportation of pathogens, rat bites
4. Lead-Based Paint - Lead poisoning, impairment of cognitive functioning
5. Mold and Moisture - Interstitial lung disease, respiratory illness, increase in asthma symptoms, allergies
6. Pesticide Residues (dust and air) - Acute poisoning, damage to internal organs and central nervous system, cancer
7. Radon - Lung cancer
8. Take-home hazards from work/hobbies and work at home - Acute poisoning, asbestos-related diseases, lead poisoning
9. Unintentional injuries/fire - Death, burns, injury, acute poisoning, permanent disabilities
10. Environmental Tobacco Smoke - Asthma, exacerbation of asthma symptoms, respiratory illness, cardiovascular illness, lung cancer
11. Lack of Security, Recreational Opportunities, or “Green Space” - Poor mental health, stress/anxiety, obesity
12. Asbestos - Lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis

The full announcement can be accessed at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa09/hhdsec.pdf.

Because HUD allows only one application from an organization for a given project, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, October 12, 2009:

• Title and location of the proposed project
• Names and departments of the Principal Investigator(s), project personnel, collaborating institutions and/or other partners
• Estimated cost of the project and
• Narrative (4 pages maximum) containing Project Objectives and Project Description

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review this material and make a recommendation. All applicants will be notified in time to prepare and submit the application and supporting material for the November 24, 2009 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).