Healthy Home

A Healthy Home is a home designed, constructed, maintained, or rehabilitated in a way that supports the health of residents.

This is an integrated, systems level approach that considers the people living in the home, the structure, and the potential health hazards to prevent disease and injury in the home. It is an efficient and prevention-effective approach because health and housing problems are considered together in a coordinated way.

The Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program believes in a comprehensive approach to multi-hazard environmental interventions, focusing on lead, moisture control, integrated pest management (IPM), safety, and toxics in residential properties.

A Healthy Home is a home that includes the following seven characteristics:

Dry - Excess moisture in the home can be prevented through appropriate construction methods and plumbing systems, temperature control, ventilation and proper maintenance.
Clean - Keeping a home clean includes controlling the source, creating smooth and cleanable surfaces, reducing clutter, and using effective cleaning methods.
Pest-free - Prevent entry, control food, water, and places for shelter.
Ventilated - Ventilation is necessary to add heat, remove heat, add or remove humidity, and dilute or remove contaminants.
Safe - There are many simple and inexpensive ways to prevent home injuries.
Avoids Contaminants - It is easier to prevent exposure to contaminants then it is to remove them and treat their effects.
Maintained - Systems should be inspected regularly to ensure proper function.

For more information about what elements make up Healthy Homes, view our Components of the Healthy Homes Concept page.

For recommendations on how to maintain a healthy home, visit the How to Maintain a Healthy Home page.

For contractors see Indoor Air Quality: What Builders Should Know.