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Home Improvements Help Children Excel at School

Household Profile: This house has a family of three, including 2 children with asthma. The family purchased this home in 2010. However, at the time of purchase, the home still needed many repairs, including a partially functioning bathroom.  The family was working on their house, but many repairs such as bathroom repairs and stairway repairs, still needed to be completed.  The house was built in 1914 and has many of the original windows, leading to concerns about lead hazards and many drafty windows.  With little insulation, energy efficiency was also a concern.  However, due to asbestos in the basement, the family was at risk for being deferred from the weatherization program.

Repairs & Investment: $7,200 worth of repairs to stairways, window screens, the bathroom, as well as improvements to ventilation systems, radiator repairs, and asbestos abatement were completed using a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Healthy Homes Demonstration Grant with matching money from the Kresge Foundation and the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative.  Healthy Homes Detroit also installed basic safety products, including a fire extinguisher, smoke and CO detectors, and provided products to reduce asthma triggers, including a vacuum cleaner and allergen mattress covers.

Reported Impacts of GHHI Detroit-Wayne County Services: 

  • Her son’s Asthma Control Test scores (a survey designed by asthma experts to measure asthma control) increased by 100% after receiving the home repairs.  After repairs, her son missed fewer school days due to asthma.
  • Because of the asbestos abatement, the family was also able to receive weatherization services. This allowed the family to receive an additional $6500 in repairs that will reduce their energy bills.
  • Thanks to GHHI Detroit-Wayne County services, the family can safely walk up the stairs to the second floor without worrying about falling through the stairs.

Green Jobs Profile: Donitra Scott

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Donitra is the owner of her own tile work company after receiving several certificates from the Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) Green Jobs program in both 2011 and 2012. Her certificates include training in lead abatement, asbestos abatement, 40-hour HAZWOPER, weatherization, basic construction, lead renovation, repair and painting, environmental due diligence and CPR and first aid.

Malcom’s Success Story

MalcomStuartThough Malcolm Stuart never personally suffered from lead poisoning, he grew up watching many people who did, mostly as a result of the presence of lead paint in homes built
before 1978. With this in mind, Malcolm joined the Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) Green Jobs training program to help others maintain safe, efficient homes to keep both their houses and themselves healthy.

Malcolm joined the DWEJ Green Job training program in April 2012 and graduated five months later with certificates in lead abatement, 40-hour HAZWOPER, asbestos abatement, OSHA 10-hour construction, weatherization, and lead renovation, repair and painting.

Today, Malcolm works for Amtrak as a mechanical engineer. But he said the best part of his DWEJ Green Jobs training was the personal knowledge he gained to become both more health and environmentally conscious. In particular, Malcolm said the program has helped him to quit smoking and make healthier, more sustainable choices.

Green Jobs Profile: James Toplin

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James Toplin works as a crew-member for WARM Training Center’s Reclaim Detroit deconstruction program, which deconstructs vacant homes in Detroit using a method that salvages reusable materials. He graduated from the Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) Green Jobs program May, 2012 with certificates in lead abatement, asbestos abatement, 40-hour HAZWOPER, weatherization, OSHA 10 Construction and environmental due diligence.


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Expecting Mother Receives Special Delivery from GHHI Detroit-Wayne County

Household Profile: This house on Euclid St. has 3 people living it in, including 2 senior citizens and a pregnant female.  Children under 6-years-old also visit the home frequently.  The healthy homes assessment process identified several hazards, including roof leaks, old windows, and front steps in poor condition. The house was built in 1912 and contains many lead hazards. The three biggest hazards identified were Damp /Mold Growth, Lead, and Falling on Stairs.

Repairs & Investment:  Through Health Homes Detroit and matching funds from Citizens Bank, the homeowner received roof repairs, repairs to the front porch, installment of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replacement of 4 windows in poor condition.  The homeowner also enrolled in the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Lead Safe Homes Program. Thanks to this program, the new baby will now be living in a lead-safe home.  In total, more than $22,000 was invested to improve this home.  Contribution came from Citizens Bank, a Healthy Homes Detroit grant, HUD, Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, and the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Yoletta’s Success Story

YolettaHallFor Yoletta Hall, joining the Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) Green Jobs training program was about more than just developing professional skills, it was about giving back to the community. Yoletta said her goal with the program was to give back to the City of Detroit, especially its high school students, by helping to create positive environments.

Yoletta received certificates in lead abatement, 40-hour HAZWOPER, asbestos abatement, OSHA 10-hour construction, weatherization, and lead renovation, repair and painting and is interested in earning further certificates in lead supervisor training and home weatherization.

Today, Yoletta works as a hospital aid. She said her DWEJ Green Jobs training has been a “huge asset” and helped her get her foot in the door to secure a good job. She said the training has helped with developing her career.

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New Furnace Relieves Home of Carbon Monoxide Hazard

Household Profile: The home on Woodrow WIlson street in Detroit’s Central Woodward neighborhood is occupied by a family of six with visiting children under the age 6.  While the homeowner was invested in her home and active in her local community, she faced challenges with the cost of repairs. As a result, she had problems with moisture, unsafe stairs to her basement, and areas where heat leakage was occurring.  Unknown to the family, their furnace had a cracked heat exchanger, leading to carbon monoxide hazards.

Repairs & Investment: Windows in the kitchen and bathroom were replaced to reduce moisture in the home. Repairs were made to the gutters and bathtub to prevent water damage.  The kitchen floor was replaced so that family would have a cleanable floor.  To prevent falls, the basement stairs were replaced and grab bar were installed in the bathtub.  Through a partner program with DTE/ ICF, the family also received a brand new furnace after high levels of carbon monoxide were discovered.

Reported Impact of GHHI Services: 

  • Reduced energy bills and a significantly reduced risk of CO poisoning and
  • Reduced risk of falling due to new handrails and stairway repairs
  • Reduced asthma triggers due to repairs to gutters, window replacements in bathroom and kitchen, and tub repairs
  • Able to better maintain kitchen and further reduce asthma triggers with replacement of kitchen floor

Green Jobs Profile: Tawon Wright

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Tawon is an environmental technician. He graduated the graduated from the Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) Green Jobs program in April 2012 and received certificates in lead abatement, asbestos abatement, OSHA 10-hour construction, weatherization, environmental due diligence and CPR and first aid.