Council to consider Healthy Homes Project - 1/05/2007Wanganui District Council is to consider becoming a partner in a Healthy Homes Project for the region.
Next week the Community Development Committee will discuss the Healthy Homes Project and possible Council involvement and funding, committee chair Cr Nicki Higgie said.
Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation, in partnership with Whanganui District Health Board and other community organisations and groups, recently applied to the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) to start a Healthy Homes Project in this region.
"The project stresses the importance of home insulation – raising the temperature within a home by as little as one degree can have a demonstrable impact on the health of the family who live there," Cr Higgie said.
"The project acknowledges the potential link between home temperature and asthma and respiratory health conditions. By retro-fitting homes built prior to 1977, and installation of other safety measures, the project aims to improve health, economic and social wellbeing.
"It will be a three-year project, with the focus in 2007/08 solely on houses in the Wanganui District. The target will be pre-1977 homes with little or no ceiling insulation and 70% of the homes must be those of Community Card holders. There is also likely to be a focus on families with children who have respiratory problems."
The Primary Health Organisation and District Health Board have already committed funding to the project but year one funding of $105,000 is short by $14,000. The Community Development Committee will discuss whether the Council should fund the shortfall and participate as a partner in the project.
The Committee meets on Tuesday, May 8. | 
