Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity is officially expanding its neighborhood revitalization Repair Program to include a Healthy Homes Initiative. This was all possible thanks to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware. CDHFH’s Healthy Homes Initiative and Repair Program is addressing health hazards in homes throughout Kent County. The goal is to keep each home dry, clean, ventilated, pest-free, contaminant-free, and maintained. CDHFH will partner with eligible households who are experiencing health hazards such as pests, mold, elevated blood levels from mold, trip hazards, and others.
Some basic solutions that CDHFH will provide are:
– Dry to prevent illness with mold: mold remediation, repair/replace roof, gutters
– Clear to reduce allergens: HEPA vacuums, replace carpet, “green” cleaning products
– Ventilated to prevent indoor air pollution: carbon monoxide detectors, ensure proper ventilation of bathrooms/kitchens
– Pest-free to reduce illness: pest abatement, exterior repairs
– Safe to reduce trips and falls to improve accessibility: install grab bars and wheelchair ramps, replace inadequate lighting, door widening
– Contaminant-free to prevent poisoning: asbestos and lead abatement
– Maintained to keep a healthy home environment: replace HVAC filters, repair/replace windows and doors
Previously, CDHFH was only able to provide repairs in the downtown Dover area. With this new funding, CDHFH is able to serve the greater Kent County area. CDHFH will also be able to have a home inspection and testing for health hazards completed, to be able to provide the homeowners with more knowledge about their home.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is pleased to award Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity with a $100,000 grant from BluePrints for the Community to support the Healthy Homes program. BluePrints for the Community, housed at the Delaware Community Foundation, has contributed over $22 million to the community since its inception in 2007. It was established to serve Delawareans, with emphasis on, but not limited to, the needs of the uninsured and underserved, and to reduce health care disparities in minority populations and address social determinants of health.
“We recognize the impact that living spaces can have on a person’s physical and mental health. BluePrints and Highmark commend Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to ensure that Delawareans have safe and healthy places to call home,” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware serves approximately 441,000 members through the company’s health care benefits business. It is an influential company in the market generating an economic impact of $135 million and supporting more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmarkbcbsde.com.
Residents of Kent County that are eligible for this program include Homeowners in Kent County who are in need of health-related repairs or are experiencing health hazards that need to be resolved in their home. The maximum income is 80% of the Area Median Income based on family size. The home must be owner-occupied and there must be current homeowner’s insurance.
Homeowners can find information on our website at https://centraldelawarehabitat.org/repair-program/ and if they are interested, they can fill out the form and we will reach out to them or they can download the application and complete it. We can also be reached by email at ccreasy@centraldelawarehabitat.org or 302-526-2366 ext 107.
Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people to build affordable homes, communities, and hope. Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, supporters, and customers for allowing us to continue to spread our mission in Kent County.
