1. Connecting the Dots: The Triad of Environmental Justice,
Property Standards, and Code Enforcement
Laura Rouse-DeVore, CCEO
Senior Property Maintenance Inspector
City of Evanston, IL

2. Environmental Justice: Defined
--The EPA defines “Environmental Justice” as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.  (
--Environmental Justice involves environmental decision-making and the unequitable enforcement of environmental laws.
(Dr. Robert D. Bullard, Director of the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University)

3. Environmental Justice: The Goals
Equal Protection
Equal Access
Environmental Justice includes communities working towards:
Equal protection for all persons from environmental health hazards
Equal access for all persons to a healthy living, learning, and work environment.

4. Environmental Justice: Topics
Permits
Overburdened Communities
Funding and Grants
Equitable Development
Brownfields
Solutions

5. The Power of Place
“Place Attachment” plays an important role in environmental justice.
“Place Attachment” is an emotional bonding of a person and a place. Attachment to Place is considered a fundamental human need.

6. The Power of Place
Ways that “Place Attachment” and Environmental Justice are connected:
1) Place Attachment is a driving factor that causes people to remain in an unsafe environment.
2) Place Attachment is enhanced by environmental justice initiatives that improve the quality of life within their current environment.

7. A look at two types of Place Attachment:
The Power of Place
A look at two types of Place Attachment:
Social Attachment:
-Institutional Ties to the area
-Social Activities with Neighbors
-Friends or Relatives in close proximity
-Satisfaction with the Neighborhood and existing Quality of Life
-Desire for residential stability
Community Attachment:
-Feeling a sense of belonging to a place
-Neighborhood interest
-The displeasure or pleasure felt by having to move

8. Property Standards and Code Enforcement: The Role
"Code Enforcement is the prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement of violations of statutes or ordinances regulating public health, safety, and welfare, public works, business activities and consumer protection, building standards, land-use, or municipal affairs."
Excerpt from Code Enforcement – A Comprehensive Approach by Joseph M. Schilling and James B. Hare. © 1994, Solano Press Books,

9. Property Standards and Code Enforcement: The Role
The Tools:
Code Enforcement Officers (Sworn or Non-sworn)
Policy Development
Permitting and Licensing
Registrations
Inspection and Testing Programs
Courts
Administrative Adjudication
Communication
Letters and Notices
Community Outreach and Education
First Responders
Human Services and Social Agencies
Taskforces

10. Property Standards and Code Enforcement: The Role
The role of Code Enforcement Officers within municipalities has significantly expanded over the past decade with:
1.) The economic changes in our country,
2.) The increase in blighted neighborhoods and properties,
3.) The increase in foreclosed, vacant, and abandoned properties, and
4.) Increased focus and demand for neighborhood and community revitalization strategies.
Code Enforcement Officers also play a significant role in economic development and city-wide beautification initiatives.

11. The Overlapping Issues
The issues that touch both Environmental Justice and Code Enforcement and Property Standards:
Bed Bugs
Rental Properties
Lead
Hoarding
Air Quality
Water Quality and Conservation
Vacant Buildings and Properties
Land, Waste, and Cleanup
Mold
Pests and Abatement

12. Employing Strategies to “Connect the Dots”
How do we increase environmental justice awareness through effective Code Enforcement?

13. Employing Strategies to “Connect the Dots”
1.) Policy Development through an
Environmental Justice lens
Look at potential issues and conflicts
Consider careful allocation of land uses
Know and understand the demographic profile of the community

14. Employing Strategies to “Connect the Dots”
2.) Holistic Approaches to Neighborhood Stabilization
and Revitalization
Consider Transportation, Housing, and Education as part of the solutions
Involve and Seek Answers from the Community
Be creative about funding—Public/Private Partnerships, Community Funding Sources
Promote equity in Land Use decisions
Employ holistic responses and solutions to environmentally-sensitive sites, such as brownfields

15. Employing Strategies to “Connect the Dots”
3.) Develop and launch Property Standards and
Code Enforcement community outreach strategies
Public Education Resources about Codes, Processes, and Procedures
Presentation opportunities at Community meetings
Attend Public Meetings regarding Environmental and sanitation policy changes and development
Attend Homeowner and Neighborhood Association, Ward, or District Meetings
Look for opportunities to start public education in schools

16. Employing Strategies to “Connect the Dots”
4.) Increase awareness of Environmental Justice
issues among Property Standards and Code
Enforcement professionals
Conduct internal awareness and sensitivity trainings for employees
Audit existing codes to inventory where improvements could be made
Conduct field awareness and communication classes for employees

17. Injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere
Injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

18. Connecting the Dots: The Triad of Environmental Justice,
Property Standards, and Code Enforcement
Laura Rouse-DeVore, CCEO
Senior Property Maintenance Inspector
City of Evanston, IL