Measuring the Impact of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Programs: Evaluating Hazard Reduction Using the Healthy Home Rating System

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) use the Healthy Home Rating System (HHRS), a tool developed to quantitatively assess the reduction of health-related housing hazards during the implementation of OLHCHH programs. This study evaluated the reduction of home-based hazards in 62 homes after remediation work was completed. The most common hazards identified in all homes were lead-based paint and domestic hygiene, pests, and refuse. The program was successful in reducing a variety of hazards, resulting in 100% reduction of lead-based paint hazards, 69% of water supply issues, 68% of concerns related to entry by intruders, and 60% reduction in hazards related to flames and hot surfaces. Still, other issues in the home could not be addressed due to cost and limitations in funding. While there is utility in using the HHRS, we need to consider changes to improve upon ways in which data are collected and impact is measured.