HUD, HGTV, DIY Network, and Rebuilding Together Join to Fight Unsafe Housing Conditions

National Healthy Homes Conference to address serious health and safety concerns in housing

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 9 million American families live in unsafe and unhealthy housing, exposing them to a range of hazards like radon, lack of adequate heating and cooling, mold, and lead. These problems are particularly common among our nation's most vulnerable populations – children, seniors, persons with disabilities and low-income families.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)

To address these widespread issues, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is partnering with Rebuilding Together, HGTV, and DIY Network to host more than 2,000 national health and safety experts in Nashville from May 28-30, 2014, at the National Healthy Homes Conference (NHHC).  The Conference, titled Leading the Nation to Healthy Homes, Families and Communities, will bring together housing and health professionals from the public and private sectors to share new research and emerging trends, as well as to inform housing policy to help prevent and remediate unsafe housing conditions for families.

"It is clear that unhealthy and unsafe housing impacts millions of people in the United States, which is why we must do everything we can to ensure that individuals and families have a healthy place to call home," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.  "It is our responsibility to come together and figure out ways we can provide quality homes and to lead our nation to healthier homes, families and communities for the future."

The Conference will feature more than 150 educational sessions and workshops, allowing professionals from the public health, housing, safety and environmental communities to collaborate and share ideas. You can find out more information, including how to register, at www.healthyhomesconference.org.

"Rebuilding Together makes critical home repairs to transform the lives and homes of vulnerable low-income homeowners by making these homes safe and secure. We are pleased to join HUD, HGTV, and DIY Network in the fight against safety and health hazards, which we know can be effectively mitigated," said Charley Shimanski, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "We hope this year's National Healthy Homes Conference will increase the visibility of this important issue and offer solutions to improve the lives and homes of at-risk seniors, families with children, veterans and those with disabilities."

"Building a Healthy Neighborhood" Volunteer Event Coincides with Conference Activities May 29-31st

One of the unique features of the NHHC takes place immediately following the conference, when conference attendees transition from hearers to doers, and join forces with HUD and Rebuilding Together and Rebuilding Together Nashville to rehabilitate homes in a Nashville neighborhood on May 29-31. The unique event, called Building a Healthy Neighborhood, will bring together hundreds of volunteers and leverage private sector funding to make the homes of local families safer and healthier. Volunteers may register at www.healthyhomesconference.org.

About the 2014 National Healthy Homes Conference
The NHHC is the nation's most comprehensive, progressive and educational forum on the issue of healthy, safe and sustainable homes. The Conference is jointly sponsored by HUD, HGTV, DIY Network, and Rebuilding Together, and brings together a wide range of health, housing and environmental professionals to work toward making housing healthy, safe and environmentally sustainable. For more information about the NHHC, including plenary speakers, session topics and presenters, please contact us at [email protected] or 1-888-644-2586.

About HUD and the Office of Healthy Homes:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development was created by Congress in 1965 to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. The mission of HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control is to reduce health and safety hazards in housing in a comprehensive and cost effective manner, with a particular focus on protecting the health of children and other sensitive populations in low-income households; and to eliminate childhood lead poisoning caused by lead-based paint hazards and to address other children's diseases and injuries caused by substandard housing conditions, such as asthma, unintentional injury and carbon monoxide poisoning.  To learn more visit www.hud.gov.

About Rebuilding Together:
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 187 local affiliates complete more than 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About HGTV:
America's leading home and lifestyle brand, HGTV features a top-rated cable network that is distributed to more than 98 million U.S. households and the HGTV website, HGTV.com, the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination that attracts an average of four million unique visitors per month.  The brand also includes the HGTV HOME™ consumer products line which showcases exclusive collections of paint, flooring, lighting, furniture, plants, fabrics and other home-oriented products. For more information on HGTV HOME branded products and to find a retailer, go to www.hgtvhome.com. In partnership with Hearst Magazines, the HGTV Magazine, a home and lifestyle publication, is currently available on newsstands. Viewers can become fans of HGTV and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., HGTV is wholly owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI).

About DIY Network:
DIY Network, from the makers of HGTV and Food Network, is the go-to destination for rip-up, knock-out home improvement television. DIY Network's programs and experts answer the most sought-after questions and offer creative projects for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. One of the fastest growing digital networks and currently in more than 56 million homes, DIY Network's programming covers a broad range of categories, including home improvement and landscaping.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together