Living in an older rental property is a significant risk factor for several health conditions. In Southern Maine, the housing market is incredibly tight, which forces people to take any available affordable unit, regardless of the condition or quality. 

Lead based paint, asthma triggers, and carbon monoxide risks are some of the prevalent health issues present in the older rental homes that represent our affordable housing options. For families in southern Maine, these issues tend to disproportionately impact New Mainers. These are citizens who often find themselves and their children facing serious health risks from their new homes.

Defend Our Health is excited to partner with the Rwandan Community Association of Maine to raise awareness about the importance of healthy housing and reduce harmful indoor exposures for young children. This includes the well-documented and regulated hazards of lead-based paint and radon, but also addresses the appropriate control of pests while minimizing dangerous pesticides, mold, moisture, common asthma triggers, and basic indoor air quality concerns.

We are also excited to work with RCAM’s president and member of our Board of Directors, Apollinaire Munyaneza, who has helped us move this work forward and connect with determined community leaders who are excited to join us in this campaign. 

Through this project, our aim is to raise awareness and provide information about the most prevalent issues present at home, as well as what resources are available to address them. In order to accomplish these goals we are working with community leaders who are helping us connect with other community members to promote this campaign. 

Defend Our Health is thankful to the community leaders who have already attended training sessions and have helped us conduct outreach efforts in Portland, as well as helped us brainstorm plans to continue the outreach work that will take place this summer.

We are currently organizing community meetings to provide more information, help concerned citizens address any issues, and connect to them resources as needed. Ultimately, we want to help people conduct home self-assessments to ensure that their homes are safe and healthy. 
If you would like to get involved, interested parties can email me at scahueque@defendourhealth.org.

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