April 23, 2014 | Press Release

DETROIT – April 23, 2014 – CLEARCorps Detroit, an organization working to create healthy homes in the city, will be participating later this month in a national meeting to share best community-based practices for correcting home health hazards.

The event, organized by the Advancing Safe and Healthy Homes for Children and Families Initiative (ASHHI) and sponsored by The Kresge Foundation, takes place April 26-29 in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

There, CLEARCorps Detroit representatives will discuss its vast scope of work and share project information and accomplishments to date, including addressing priority health issues in 137 homes, removal of lead-based paint in 249 homes, partnering with DTE Energy to repair and replace non-working or dangerous furnaces in 84 homes, and a partnership with Wayne Children’s Healthcare Access Program (WCHAP) to provide extensive asthma education and referral services.

In addition, ASHHI and CLEARCorps Detroit will be honoring Eric Johnson, chief of housing rehabilitation in Detroit’s Planning and Development Department, as its local “Healthy Homes Hero.” According to CLEARCorps Detroit Executive Director Mary Sue Schottenfels, “Mr. Johnson is being recognized for his years-long work of administering Community Development Block Grants for housing rehabilitation, developing and implementing HUD-funded programs, and spearheading the city’s lead abatement program. He has also played a key leadership role in the Detroit-Wayne County Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, serving as co-chair and bringing awareness about the initiative to the Mayor’s office and city leaders.”

About ASHHI: The Advancing Safe and Healthy Homes for Children and Families Initiative (ASHHI) promotes comprehensive, community-based assistance designed to mitigate home hazards that affect health and disproportionately impact the disadvantaged. An effort conceived and launched by The Kresge Foundation in 2009, it is now managed independently through the ASHHI National Program Office although Kresge remains a primary funder. See more at www.ashhi.org.