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HomeCommunityHealthy Homes Program Helps Rehabilitate and Preserve Existing Housing

Healthy Homes Program Helps Rehabilitate and Preserve Existing Housing

One of the priorities iden­tified in the Cook County Community Health Assess­ment for 2018 – 2023 was the need to upgrade existing housing stock to improve energy consumption and human health. To address that need, the county de­veloped the Healthy Homes initiative under its Depart­ment of Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and with the cooperation of the Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Au­thority (HRA).

Healthy Homes received a grant, implemented in the fall of 2022, from Minne­sota Department of Health and the federal Department of Housing and Urban De­velopment. The grant pays for training staff to perform assessments to determine what needs to be upgraded for a healthier environment for residents and provides funding to address issues identified in the assessment. In a recent press release, DHHS wrote “Healthier homes will directly result in healthy people and more vibrant communities.”

“During the first cycle of Healthy Homes grants, we assessed 28 homes,” said Andrea Tofte, Public Health Educator with PHHS.

The assessment looks at housing conditions that might create conditions that lead to illness or injury. It helps the homeowner or renter understand deficiencies in the current housing and makes recommenda­tions and priorities of what needs to be addressed to re­duce health and safety risks.

Healthy Homes has up to $750 available under ex­isting grants to help each homeowner/renter get sup­plies and pay for home im­provements identified in the assessment. The money can be used for things like air purifiers, non-toxic clean­ing supplies, fire extinguishers, handrails for older adults and other modifica­tions to help people safely remain in their homes.

“We look for low cost, high impact strategies to help residents,” Tofte said. Tofte also coordinates be­tween her clients and the Healthy Housing Network for needed repairs or im­provements that exceed $750. The Network con­sists of the HRA, the City of Grand Marais, and the Cook County Local Energy Project.

Tofte began her career with Cook County during the Covid pandemic as a volunteer. She has a Mas­ters Degree in Environmen­tal Science and after be­ginning employment with PHHS she completed the New-to-Public Health Res­idency Program at the Uni­versity of Wisconsin–Madi­son. She divides her time at PHHS between Emergency Preparedness and Healthy Homes.

Under the second grant cycle, which began in Oc­tober, Healthy Homes re­ceived funding to assist 40 homeowners with assess­ments through 2026. Tofte has completed six assess­ments this cycle, and she expects to complete one to two each month.

The program is intended to result in healthier people, leading to lower healthcare costs and a more vibrant community.

The healthy homes ap­proach uses well-docu­mented, evidence-based interventions to address housing-related health haz­ards. If you, or someone you know, has a home that needs improvements you can begin the assessment process at the Cook Coun­ty website, searching for Healthy Housing Program. Or reach out by email to
an­drea.tofte@co.cook.mn.us  or call 218-387-3065.

Andrea is a compassion­ate and committed public servant who will help you through you housing chal­lenges. “The most gratify­ing thing about my job is when we make improve­ments and I see the smiles on peoples faces,” she said.

Steve Fernlund
Steve Fernlund
Columnist Steve Fernlund is a retired business owner living in Duluth. He published the Cook County News Herald in Grand Marais at the end of the last century. You may email comments or North Shore news story ideas to him at steve.fernlund@gmail.com. And see more at www.stevefernlund.com.
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