Millions of American households don’t meet the most basic definition of a healthy and safe home: dry, well ventilated, pest-free, hazard-free, well-maintained, and able to protect residents from extreme heat or cold. Nearly six million households live with moderate to severe home health and safety hazards, which place them at-risk for illnesses and injuries including asthma, lead poisoning, falls, and respiratory illnesses. Estimates suggest that 6 million housing units have moderate to severe physical infrastructure problems, 6.8 million housing units have elevated levels of radon, and 17 million homes have high exposure to indoor allergens.

While the country was outraged about the lead water crisis in Flint, Michigan, roughly 23 million housing units in the United States have one or more lead-based paint hazards. If a house or apartment was built before 1978, it is likely the structure contains lead paint. Lead-based paint, even under layers of newer, lead-free paint, can break down because of age, poor maintenance, or household repairs, and can become a health hazard. Lead dust in the home is caused by chipping, peeling, flaking, or deteriorating lead-based paint and can exist in even the cleanest of homes. Each year, lead poisoning—which can cause lifelong learning and behavior problems— affects an estimated 535,000 children younger than age 6. In fact, children who are lead poisoned are seven times more likely to drop out of school and six times more likely to become involved in the juvenile justice system.