History

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Established in 1991, the Alameda County Healthy Homes Department has become a national leader in childhood lead poisoning prevention and healthy homes programs, combining health, environmental and residential hazard reduction services under one umbrella.

The Alameda County Healthy Homes Department's unique multidisciplinary approach serves the community to eliminate environmental lead contamination, prevent childhood lead poisoning and improve health outcomes by addressing housing problems. The Program provides case management of lead poisoned children, community outreach and education, training, lead hazard reduction services, healthy homes interventions, and consultations.

Mission

Our mission is to advance an integrated approach for safe and healthy housing, through collaborative community initiatives, applied research and policy development to improve the lives of vulnerable populations.

History

In 1987, the California Department of Health Services conducted a study that found high levels of lead in many Alameda County children. In response to the concerns of People United for a Better Oakland (PUEBLO) and other community organizations, the County Health Officer formed a task force composed of city, county and state public health professionals, pediatricians, community groups, and housing officials. The task force proposed the development of a unique new entity, the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution officially establishing the Alameda County Healthy Homes Department in 1991. The resolution allowed cities in the County to participate in and support the Program by assessing an annual $10 fee on all residential dwellings constructed before 1978, the first year that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned lead in paint for residential use. The cities of Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda were the first to participate in the program and the city of Emeryville joined in 1992. The program is governed by the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) which is composed of elected officials from each participating city, the County of Alameda and a community representative.

Our certified and licensed personnel utilize state-of-the-art technology and implement rigorous quality assurance and control in all aspects of the program's operations.

The Alameda County Healthy Homes Department's unique multi-disciplinary approach has received federal and state funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health Services (DHS). The Program is the recipient of a HUD Special Recognition Award.

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Celebrating 30 years