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In the 1990s, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) collaborated with public
housing tenant organizations, city agencies and local universities to explore
the relationship between housing conditions and the high rates of asthma
among children living in some of the BHA developments.
The study found that
traditional pest control was not working. Almost half of the units tested had
cockroach allergens above asthma sensitivity levels; nearly 60% of the
children tested showed allergic sensitivity to the most prevalent cockroach
antigen. Environmental sampling found
that all units tested had traces of illegal and restricted pesticides, evidence
that residents were turning to dangerous pesticides in reaction to high pest
infestations. They found that Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) was an effective intervention that improved the
health of children with asthma.
Based on these results, the Healthy Pest Free Housing Initiative (HPFHI)
was founded with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
Through a partnership between the Boston Public Health Commission,
Boston University School of Public Health, two resident organizations and various
policy and advocacy organizations, BHA piloted IPM in several properties. The
core of the program includes:
- Training and educating
residents
- Replacing harmful
chemicals with low toxic gels and traps
- Making sure every
vacant apartment gets a clean sweep before occupancy
- Having zero tolerance
for pests
One of the keys to the initiative’s success was using residents
to educate other residents what their role is in the IPM program. These residents
received training on topics like asthma and pests, integrated pest
management, how unsafe pesticides are used and how to promote safe pest
practice.
“ I never knew a program could
work so well,” said Toni Cromwell, Tenant
Coordinator for Gallivan Boulevard Housing Development. “We only have
two households that have pest infestation. I took the training and it
helped me understand what contributes to pest infestation and now I am going
around educating other tenants.
My neighbors are being very cooperative
because they are actually seeing results. This is the first time the
pest contractor actually takes the time to come back and talk with tenants.”
Many of the BHA developments where IPM was piloted saw
significant reductions in pest control work orders. Also residents reported better health and
reduced stress levels after the program was implemented. Today, all 49 of the authorities'
developments have IPM plans in place and the BHA’s program is recognized
as the leading model for IPM in housing.
Some BHA staff leaders involved in the IPM program are now routinely
invited to present at conferences.
"Having all these great resources come together -- schools of public health,
foundations, city agencies, community groups, residents -- the BHA has been able to provide better and
healthier home," said Lori Luce, Maintenance Systems Manager at the
housing authority. "And that's the best outcome you can have."
Learn more about healthy public housing:
Boston
Public Health Commission
Asthma Regional
Council
Parners in Health and Housing Prevention
Research Center
The Healthy Public Housing Initative
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