On June 13, 2017, the Coalition for Asthma-Free Homes gathered on the steps of New York’s City Hall to encourage legislators to pass the Asthma-Free Housing Act (Intro 385B). Area residents, medical experts and environmental advocates joined them. Heidi Bayer, Chairman of the Board for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, was also there.
This bill would help reduce indoor allergens in rented homes that can trigger asthma symptoms. Landlords would be required to inspect homes for mold and pests, and remediate them quickly and properly.
In my years of working in the community in Brooklyn as a support group leader and advocate, what became clear is that medical care and medication are accessible, but asthma-safe housing is not. In New York City, there was and continues to be a barrier to access to asthma-safe homes. These are homes and apartments – often rented – where the landlord or managing agent has not taken care of properly remediating asthma triggers such as mold, vermin and pest infestation. The Asthma-Free Housing Act of 2016 will ensure that tenants and homeowners have a legal right to insist that correct remediation be achieved to allow those with asthma to live safe and healthy lives.
– Heidi Bayer, Chairman of the Board for AAFA
In low-income areas of New York City, as many as 25 percent of children have asthma. Mold and pests, like cockroaches, can trigger asthma symptoms. AAFA supports this bill because it would improve the quality of life for many in New York with asthma and would reduce health care costs.
Bayer tweeted from the event:
At City Hall this morning for the Asthma Free Housing Act of 2016... #asthmafreenyc pic.twitter.com/vnjG9lwFAS
— BklynAllergyMom (@bklynallergymom) June 13, 2017
At #asthmafreenyc city hall supporting the Asthma Free Homes Act of 2016 @AAFANational
— BklynAllergyMom (@bklynallergymom) June 13, 2017
More from #asthmafreenyc inside Chambers to testify and recommend passing of the #asthmasafehousingact of 2016 @NYCCouncil @AAFANational pic.twitter.com/ROoFsMBELv
— BklynAllergyMom (@bklynallergymom) June 13, 2017
Speaking about child's #asthma attack triggered by indoor allergens #fabianbravo from #brooklyn #asthmafreenyc @NYCCouncil @BilldeBlasio pic.twitter.com/atFKUuIesk
— BklynAllergyMom (@bklynallergymom) June 13, 2017
An important #local #nyc #news #story @JennLahmers #asthmafreenyc #dracklemamohammed speaks about patients #allergy #triggers in their #home pic.twitter.com/8jXffqZng2
— BklynAllergyMom (@bklynallergymom) June 13, 2017
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