THE IMPACT OF HEALTHY HOUSING

On April 26, 2016 Red Feather initiated a service contract provided by Arizona Public Service (APS) to weatherize homes on the Hopi and Navajo nations.  Eli Chamberlain, above, began the work in one home by measuring the current level of heat loss through blower door technology.  The work will continue for the next several months and over 40 families will receive weatherization interventions and repair. 

Research indicates that housing conditions have a direct affect on the health of its inhabitants.  American Indian communities are disproportionally impacted in both housing and health.  Red Feather makes a difference in people's lives through the Native Home Resource Network.

• 4% of reservation housing have severe health and safety issues compared to 1.6% of all housing in the United States
• 14.7% of homes are overcrowded, compared to 5.7% of homes in the U.S. average
  

Red Feather uses Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) approaches to build capacity for the education of tribal members.  We link, illustrate and facilitate how to improve a family's living environment to ultimately improve their health.  Red Feather is an active partner in providing affordable ways to make home repairs. ​

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3 EASY STEPS TO A HEALTHY HOME

1.  GET AN ASSESSMENT

Red Feather supports Native families with the following actions:

• Complete a comprehensive home health assessment
• Receive tailored health and medical education training
• Review and receive a Home Health & Safety kit
• Review tailored information  

2.  PLAN SCOPE OF WORK

Red Feather professionals work diligently with families to understand:

• What is the most pressing issue affecting the family's health ?
• Put a plan together to fix the most critical items first.  
• Create a "scope of work" with needed supplies, costs and timeframes to complete the repairs.  
• Together with the family a plan is agreed to and the work begins.

3.  MAKE THE REPAIRS

Red Feather facilitates:

• Material orders
• The "right" repair professional for the job
• The work of improving housing and health begins!  
• Upon completion, health professionals circle back with the family to evaluate successes and any additional opportunities that need attention.