March 15, 2015
On Saturday, March 14th, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative Detroit-Wayne County (GHHI Detroit-Wayne County) welcomed over 200 Southwest Detroit residents and children to its first ever Green & Healthy Homes Day. The event was held at Harms Elementary School and opening remarks were given by Council Member Castaneda-Lopez of Detroit’s 6th district and Eric Johnson, GHHI Detroit-Wayne County Co-Chair and Chief of Housing Rehabilitation at the City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department.
Over 20 GHHI Detroit-Wayne County organizations were represented at the event including: the AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter, Bridging Communities, the City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department, CLEARCorps Detroit, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, DTE Energy, EcoWorks, Ecology Center, Habitat for Humanity Detroit, Institute for Population Health, Kohl’s Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, RSM Lead Inspections, SEEL, Stafford House, Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Wayne County Public Health Department, Wayne Children’s Healthcare Access Program, Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
Each organization staffed a resource table containing information about their organization, available programs and services, and 
products and education to help residents make their homes safe, healthy and green. Residents also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of GHHI Detroit-Wayne County organizations and complete program applications and surveys. GHHI Detroit-Wayne County organizations also offered free lead testing for children under age six, workshops and demonstrations on how to make your home safe, healthy and green and hourly door-prizes. Kids were able to play in the Kid’s Corner with environmentally friendly crafts and games while their parents browsed the many partner tables.
GHHI Detroit-Wayne County would like to thank all the partners who helped to make this event a huge success, especially Harms Elementary, the City of Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department, Wayne State University, EcoWorks, Stafford House, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter and Wayne County Public Health Department. We look forward to engaging with many more Detroit residents on green and healthy housing issues to ensure that Detroit families have safe and healthy places to live and play.
Photos taken by Christian Davis, Sweet Obsession Productions.