Tribal Indoor Environments Funding Scenario #1: Radon Erin McTigue, EPA R10 Tribal Air Program

Radon and Health Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see it or smell it. Found all over the US Comes from the national breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high Testing is the only way to know if radon is in a building

Leveraging Resources to Address Radon Testing/Identification: EPA Community Education & Partnership Building: EPA Installation of Mitigation Systems: USDA, BIA, HUD GOAL: Eliminate radon exposure in homes and tribal buildings

Costs of Addressing Radon Testing Can purchase test kits (radon canisters) for anywhere from $3.45 to $12 each (depends on quantity you order) Examples Air Chek $4.85 for order >100 (most recent quote) Prolab $4.95 (order of 500) American Lung Association $12.00 each Mitigation & Prevention Costs of installing a mitigation system in an existing home = $1500-$2500 per home (varies) Radon resistant new construction typically costs a builder between $250 and $750. Could cost less than $250 if the builder already uses some of the same techniques for moisture control.

Radon Testing & Outreach: EPA Funds Tribal Clean Air Act Grants – can use to purchase test kits, build partnerships, conduct community outreach, work on code development Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) funds – purchase kits, conduct outreach program, build partnerships, work on code development SIRG Funds – purchase kits, conduct outreach, build partnerships, support meetings and conferences, trainings, surveys, plans for testing and mitigation, demonstration projects

Radon Mitigation: USDA Funds Section 533 Housing Preservations Grants to non-profits/housing authority/tribes to make repairs to groups of apartment buildings, individual homes, etc.  The program is very competitive as each state only gets an initial allocation of $45,000 annually but it is valuable because it is awarded to the tribe for their use.  Section 502/504 loans/grants are made directly to home owners. The 504 is a 1% loan of up to $20,000 amortized over 20 years, making payments extremely affordable. Those who are over 62 years old and cannot qualify for a loan may be eligible for $7,500 grant.  The 504 program is only for those meeting low income limits. Possible emergency/disaster funds?

Radon Mitigation Funds: BIA Funds Housing Improvement Program (HIP) for low-income families (does not exceed 125% of the Federal Poverty Levels) Interim Improvements:  Provides up to $2,500 in housing repairs for conditions that threaten the health and/or safety of the occupants Repairs and Renovation:  Provides up to $35,000 in repairs and renovation to improve the condition of a homeowner’s dwelling to meet applicable building code standards Replacement Housing:  Provides a modest replacement home if a homeowner’s dwelling cannot be brought to applicable building code standards.  New Housing: Provides a modest new home if the individual does not own a home. An individual may be eligible if s/he is the owner or leaseholder of land suitable for housing and the lease is for not less that 25 years at the time assistance is received.

Radon Mitigation Funds: HUD Funds Block Grants such as NAHASDA Indian Housing Block Grant – Use for new construction or rehabilitation Competitive Grants such as Indian Community Development Block Grant for rentals and homeownership units. Section 202 Housing Program - for senior homes. Loan Guarantees NAHASDA Title VI – construction or rehab of homeownership and rental units NAHASDA Section 184 - New construction or rehab of single family homes FHA - New construction, acquisition, or refinance of single family homes. Multi Family - New construction, acquisition, refinance, or rehabilitation of rental units. Emergency Funds – Imminent Threat Grants (less common)

Other Resources to Explore Department of Energy Cancer Control Plans? Others?

Tribal Indoor Environments Funding Scenario #2: Mold

Mold and Health Mold exposures are associated with allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory issues We cannot eliminate all mold and mold spores; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present Indoor humidity should be 30-60% to decrease mold growth

Costs of Preventing & Remediating Mold Costs of mold prevention and remediation vary greatly. Examples of potential interventions: Using a moisture meter to test dampness in walls Educating residents on how to prevent mold Training for housing staff on mold: $800-$1000 Installing bathroom fans with timers or hygrometer Installing hood vents over stoves Removing and replacing moldy drywall Removing and replacing moldy carpet

Leveraging Resources to Address Mold Prevention (Resident Education, Home Assessments): EPA, HUD Preventative Tools (e.g. Ventilation systems): HUD, BIA, USDA Mold Remediation: USDA, BIA, HUD GOAL: Reduce excess moisture and mold in tribal homes and buildings

Home Assessments and Resident Education EPA Grants, such as Tribal Clean Air Act Grants Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) HUD funds

Preventing Mold: Repairing the Home, Buying “Tools” [Examples: repairing leaks, installing ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens, purchasing green cleaning toolkits, installing window covers] HUD funds Note: NOFA for HUD Mold Prevention and Remediation Grant for Tribes to be released within the next year. USDA loan and grant programs BIA Housing Improvement Program DOE funds

Remediating Homes with Existing Mold Problems [When mold cannot be cleaned up – e.g. removing walls, carpeting, etc, and replacing them] HUD funds Note: NOFA for HUD Mold Prevention and Remediation Grant for Tribes to be released within the next year. USDA loan and grant programs BIA Housing Improvement Program DOE funds

Other Resources to Explore Department of Energy Weatherization Programs Others?

Other Home Health & Safety Scenarios Installing Ventilation (Fresh 80s, HRVs, hood ranges, etc.) Heating appliance changeouts (e.g. funds for changing out old, uncertified wood stoves for new stoves or other types of home heating devices) Heating appliance maintenance (e.g. funds for cleaning chimneys or repairing a toyo stove) Resident education overall…