← Back to Session Track

Promoting Healthy Housing through Housing Code Reform and Improved Enforcement: Examples from D.C.

Concurrent Sessions 5: 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm, Wednesday, September 22, 2021

View/download the presentation slides

Housing quality has a tremendous impact on health. For example, poor indoor air quality due to mold can exacerbate asthma; lead poisoning affects thousands of children across the country; and exposure to pests can be harmful to health. Although most jurisdictions require that rental homes be in a “habitable” condition, habitability laws are often inadequate in scope and difficult to enforce. Drawing from D.C. examples, speakers will explore cross-sector strategies for improving healthy housing.

Moderator:

  • Kathy Zeisel, Senior Supervising Attorney, Children’s Law Center

Speakers:

  • Jennifer L. Berger, Chief, Social Justice Section, Office of Attorney General of the District of Columbia
  • Abby Charles, Program Director, Institute for Public Health Innovation
  • Blaine Stum, Legislative Policy Advisor, Chairman Phil Mendelson, Committee of the Whole