Healthy Homes Roanoke

Join the dynamic team in the City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government's Community Resources Division as the new Affordable Housing Program Manager!

You will be responsible for strategic planning, public engagement, policy recommendations, management, and reporting for all aspects of federally-assisted affordable housing projects managed by the Community Resources Division to increase the availability of affordable housing in the City of Roanoke.

Apply today at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/roanoke

Healthy Home Tip

As we close out the month, we want to leave you with resources that can use to protect the health of you, your family and your home. There is a local helpline, 211 Virginia, which offers referrals for a broad range of services including emergency fuel assistance, legal advice, counseling, disaster services, housing resources and financial assistance for housing, emergency shelter, services for veterans, and senior citizens. Visit www.211viriginia.org and enter your zip code or city for a resource list or call 211 for assistance. 211 Virginia is hosted by the Council of Community Services.

Also, do not forget to check out the most recent resource booklet from Carilion Clinic Community Health and Outreach, which highlights local health resources and events. Click the link below for more information. https://issuu.com/carilionclinic/docs/easy_health_winter_2024_issue_final

Partner Spotlight

Roanoke Gas Company and our employees have a long history of serving the communities in which we serve. We are happy to be a partner of Healthy Homes Roanoke, working alongside the housing rehab partners to ensure sustainable and healthy housing in Roanoke. Through this partnership, we are able to continue our mission to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable energy to improve the quality of life for our communities, customers and employees.

Healthy Home Tip

Is your house too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter?

You may be dealing with one of the Healthy Home hazards—temperature extremes. While this may not seem to be a major hazard, extreme heat is actually a leading cause of weather-related illnesses and deaths.

To address this problem in your home, you can contact Appalachian Power for a free home energy assessment. The assessment will show opportunities to save energy and protect your family from temperature extremes, including adding attic insulation or installing a ductless mini-split heat pump. They even offer rebates to eligible customers!

For more information, visit: https://takechargeva.com/programs/for-your-home/home-performance-home-energy-assessments?fbclid=IwAR00wutk-WmM8VO9BdQ9SwWPeUvTzkaQyCAm8KSqPsstxSQPN1J68XZklYo

Partner Spotlight

Renovation Alliance

Healthy Home Tip

Radon is a radioactive gas that is released in rocks and soil. It is primarily found in basements and first floors of buildings. It is invisible, odorless, tasteless and sometimes has been found in ground water. In areas without adequate ventilation, radon can accumulate in levels that increase the risk for lung cancer.

The best way to prevent radon exposure is to know the status of your home by having your home tested. Every Healthy Homes Roanoke home is tested for radon and, if needed, a mitigation system is added.

Check out the video for more information about radon testing so you can keep your family safe and healthy.

https://youtu.be/cgAygLVRN0A

In honor of Earth Day this year, we are excited to share a message from the City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government's Office of Sustainability (Roanoke Sustainability and Climate Resiliency).

Weatherization reduces energy burdens for families, increases energy equity, reduces GHG emissions and stress on the power grid, and, in turn, makes homes more resilient to the effects of climate change

Weatherized homes help families consume less energy and save money on energy bills. This is especially important because low-income families spend a significantly higher percentage of their income on energy bills compared to other households. Home weatherization can save residents hundreds of dollars a year, which helps to even the playing field on energy costs for low-income families. It also makes homes more comfortable, improves air quality, and reduces emissions from energy use. Weatherizing homes in Roanoke will be a key part of reaching our climate goals.

Healthy Home Tip

April is a month people often do spring-cleaning. Have you considered cleaning out your medication cabinet? Today is a great day to do so; it’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day. Medications that are unused or expired should be disposed of as soon as possible. Timely disposal of prescription medicine can reduce the risk of others taking the medication accidentally or misusing the medication intentionally.

The best way to dispose of your prescription medicine is through a drug take-back program. Our local drug take out day will be April 27, 2024 from 10am-2pm. Please follow RAYSAC (Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition) for more information on a location closest to you where you can take your unwanted medications on that day.

If you miss our local take-back day, visit https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-drug-take-back-locations to find local disposal sites near you.

Healthy Home Tip

The Healthy Homes Team and the Virginia Department of Health joins with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to urge you to be “SepticSmart” this Healthy Homes Month!

THINK AT THE SINK

Consider what you put into your toilet and sink and the impact it may have on your system. Many common household items can either clog your system or kill the microbes that treat the wastewater. Cloggers include diapers, baby wipes, cat litter, ci******es, coffee grounds, grease, and feminine hygiene products. Septic system killers include household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, paint, and high amounts of anti-bacterial soaps and detergents.

The City of Roanoke, Virginia is hiring a Housing Rehab Program Manager. If you enjoy coordinating with partner organizations, improving your community, and have experience working with grants this position might be for you! To apply complete an application for the Community Resources Specialist II Housing Rehabilitation Program Manager on the City's job board.

Healthy Home Tip

A fire is an event that no one wants to experience in his or her home. Preparing for this unwanted event is the best thing any family can do to keep everyone safe. Most families remember to place smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors but often fire escape plans are forgotten about. A good fire escape plan has 3 main components: a layout, identified exits and a set meeting location. The most important step of the fire plan is to have frequent rehearsals so that no one panics in the crisis. It is important for every family member to know all the components of the plan to be able to help each other in crisis or give assistance to the first responders when they arrive at the scene.