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Tribal Indoor Environments Funding Scenario #1: Radon

Tribal Indoor Environments Funding Scenario #1: Radon. Erin McTigue, EPA R10 Tribal Air Program. Radon and Health. Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see it or smell it. Found all over the US Comes from the national breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water

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Tribal Indoor Environments Funding Scenario #1: Radon

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  1. Tribal Indoor Environments Funding Scenario #1: Radon Erin McTigue, EPA R10 Tribal Air Program

  2. Radon and Health • Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see it or smell it. • Found all over the US • Comes from the national breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water • If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high • Testing is the only way to know if radon is in a building

  3. Leveraging Resources to Address Radon GOAL: Eliminate radon exposure in homes and tribal buildings

  4. Costs of Addressing Radon • Testing • Can purchase test kits (radon canisters) for anywhere from $3.45 to $12 each (depends on quantity you order) • Examples • Air Chek $4.85 for order >100 (most recent quote) • Prolab $4.95 (order of 500) • American Lung Association $12.00 each • Mitigation & Prevention • Costs of installing a mitigation system in an existing home = $1500-$2500 per home (varies) • Radon resistant new construction typically costs a builder between $250 and $750. Could cost less than $250 if the builder already uses some of the same techniques for moisture control.

  5. Radon Testing & Outreach: EPA Funds • Tribal Clean Air Act Grants – can use to purchase test kits, build partnerships, conduct community outreach, work on code development • Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) funds – purchase kits, conduct outreach program, build partnerships, work on code development • SIRG Funds – purchase kits, conduct outreach, build partnerships, support meetings and conferences, trainings, surveys, plans for testing and mitigation, demonstration projects

  6. Radon Mitigation: USDA Funds • Section 533 Housing Preservations Grants to non-profits/housing authority/tribes to make repairs to groups of apartment buildings, individual homes, etc.  The program is very competitive as each state only gets an initial allocation of $45,000 annually but it is valuable because it is awarded to the tribe for their use.  • Section 502/504 loans/grants are made directly to home owners. The 504 is a 1% loan of up to $20,000 amortized over 20 years, making payments extremely affordable. Those who are over 62 years old and cannot qualify for a loan may be eligible for $7,500 grant.  The 504 program is only for those meeting low income limits. • Possible emergency/disaster funds?

  7. Radon Mitigation Funds: BIA Funds Housing Improvement Program (HIP) for low-income families (does not exceed 125% of the Federal Poverty Levels) • Interim Improvements:  Provides up to $2,500 in housing repairs for conditions that threaten the health and/or safety of the occupants • Repairs and Renovation:  Provides up to $35,000 in repairs and renovation to improve the condition of a homeowner’s dwelling to meet applicable building code standards • Replacement Housing:  Provides a modest replacement home if a homeowner’s dwelling cannot be brought to applicable building code standards.  • New Housing: Provides a modest new home if the individual does not own a home. An individual may be eligible if s/he is the owner or leaseholder of land suitable for housing and the lease is for not less that 25 years at the time assistance is received.

  8. Radon Mitigation Funds: HUD Funds Block Grants such as NAHASDA Indian Housing Block Grant – Use for new constructionor rehabilitation Competitive Grants such as • Indian Community Development Block Grant for rentals and homeownership units. • Section 202 Housing Program - for senior homes. Loan Guarantees • NAHASDA Title VI – construction or rehab of homeownership and rental units • NAHASDA Section 184 - New construction or rehab of single family homes • FHA - New construction, acquisition, or refinance of single family homes. • Multi Family - New construction, acquisition, refinance, or rehabilitation of rental units. Emergency Funds – Imminent Threat Grants (less common)

  9. Other Resources to Explore • Department of Energy • Cancer Control Plans? • Others?

  10. Tribal Indoor Environments Funding Scenario #2: Mold

  11. Mold and Health • Mold exposures are associated with allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory issues • We cannot eliminate all mold and mold spores; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture • Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present • Indoor humidity should be 30-60% to decrease mold growth

  12. Costs of Preventing & Remediating Mold • Costs of mold prevention and remediation vary greatly. • Examples of potential interventions: • Using a moisture meter to test dampness in walls • Educating residents on how to prevent mold • Training for housing staff on mold: $800-$1000 • Installing bathroom fans with timers or hygrometer • Installing hood vents over stoves • Removing and replacing moldy drywall • Removing and replacing moldy carpet

  13. Leveraging Resources to Address Mold GOAL: Reduce excess moisture and mold in tribal homes and buildings

  14. Home Assessments and Resident Education • EPA Grants, such as • Tribal Clean Air Act Grants • Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) • HUD funds

  15. Preventing Mold: Repairing the Home, Buying “Tools” • [Examples: repairing leaks, installing ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens, purchasing green cleaning toolkits, installing window covers] • HUD fundsNote: NOFA for HUD Mold Prevention and Remediation Grant for Tribes to be released within the next year. • USDA loan and grant programs • BIA Housing Improvement Program • DOE funds

  16. Remediating Homes with Existing Mold Problems • [When mold cannot be cleaned up – e.g. removing walls, carpeting, etc, and replacing them] • HUD funds Note: NOFA for HUD Mold Prevention and Remediation Grant for Tribes to be released within the next year. • USDA loan and grant programs • BIA Housing Improvement Program • DOE funds

  17. Other Resources to Explore • Department of Energy • Weatherization Programs • Others?

  18. Other Home Health & Safety Scenarios • Installing Ventilation (Fresh 80s, HRVs, hood ranges, etc.) • Heating appliance changeouts(e.g. funds for changing out old, uncertified wood stoves for new stoves or other types of home heating devices) • Heating appliance maintenance (e.g. funds for cleaning chimneys or repairing a toyo stove) • Resident education overall…

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