The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is observing June as National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM) with activities that focus on the link between housing quality and residents' health.

"National Healthy Homes Month serves to educate families and communities about the importance of creating and maintaining a healthy home by addressing home-based hazards," HUD states in its June 1 press release, "including reducing moisture and mold, improving ventilation, controlling pests, and maintaining indoor air quality."

"Connecting Home, Health and YOU" is the theme for NHHM 2023, according to the release, with the aim of increasing awareness of the need to prevent injury and illnesses in the home; preserving, improving and increasing supply of affordable housing; and improving the quality of life for vulnerable groups.

Initiatives include the June 5 start of the nomination process for the new Hud Secretary's Award For Excellence in Healthy Homes, which recognizes the organization, group or individual "who best exemplifies the holistic approach required to create a healthy home culture," the release states. 

HUD is also announcing two Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) during NHHM 2023 to help low-income households make their homes healthier and safer. The first opportunity makes available more than $700 million in grant funding from the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program to state and local governments to improve privately owned low-income houses built before 1978. Applications for this NOFO are due by June 14, according to the release.

Under the second NOFO, $50 million will be available to help communities to develop and implement comprehensive programs to mitigate lead hazards and create healthy homes. The funding is provided under HUD’s Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program, which was developed to address community feedback. Applications for this funding are due June 27.

HUD states in the news release that the agency will announce at a later date additional funding opportunities, including the Healthy Homes Production Grant Program and the Older Adult Home Modification Grant Program. 

“This month, we are reminded that everyone in this country deserves to be safe and healthy in their homes,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in the release. “HUD and our many partners are working together to protect vulnerable residents from lead exposure and other home health hazards.”