Improving oversight and support for safe homes will go a long way to ensure access to safe homes for all residents at all income levels. The greater Upper Valley region struggles with an older housing stock that faces challenges such as lead paint poisoning of young children. Although not unique to this region, this and other problem seriously impact residents’ health and must be addressed directly.
Improving safe homes begins with 1) the regular education of municipal officials, staff, and volunteers; 2) addressing inadequacies in rental inspections; and 3) advancing programs that directly address unsafe living conditions. These actions involve following state and federal laws, such as state laws on lead paint abatement in housing [RSA 130-A, 18 V.S.A. Chapter 38], as well as rental registries and rental code enforcement.
Additional Resources:
- Fair Housing Act Accessibility Guidelines by US Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards by US Access Board
- A Guide to Proactive Rental Inspections by ChangeLab Solutions
- For additional tools on how to improve existing homes, see Keys to the Valley Objective C2. Provide Homes in Good Condition (part of Action Area C – Preserve Existing Homes)
