Healthy Homes
Landlords Must Do Better
In New York City, over two-thirds of New Yorkers rent their homes and the statistic is even higher among low-income residents. The lack of affordable housing options in New York City due to gentrification, particularly in Northern Manhattan, present severe challenges to finding high-quality housing without a rent burden on low and middle-income families. Low-quality housing stock means landlords do not always properly repair pre-existing housing deficiencies, such as cracks, mold, pests, and lead-based peeling paint within the home – all which can lead health disparities, including high rates of childhood asthma, lead exposure, or poisoning.
WE ACT defines a healthy home as:
A home that is marked not only by the absence of health and safety threats (lead, indoor allergens, radon, CO) in the built environment, but also one that supports physical, mental, social and environmental well-being. This definition includes aspects of the home including but not limited to energy efficiency, building materials that limit adverse health effects, free of chemicals and the creation of homes using equitable and fair labor practices.