Affordable Housing & Home Environment

The Affordable Housing and Home Environment focus seeks to equip Florida families to deal with a broad spectrum of housing issues that can affect the quality of life of Florida residents. Programs included in this effort include: affordable housing, maintaining property values, preventing and abating moisture and mildew problems, home safety and security including indoor air and water quality, home environment, and environmental responsibility related to waste management and conservation.

Affordable Housing

Low and moderate income families are prepared to become homeowners through lessons to evaluate and improve money and credit management, learning to work with home buying professionals to make informed decisions as they buy their first home. County Faculty form liaisons with community agencies and professionals to educate participants in this program.

Maintaining Property Values

Families develop the knowledge and skills required to maintain the economic and aesthetic values of their homes. People learn to weigh the financial costs against skills to identify Do-It-Yourself projects as well as when and how to use contractors.

Preventing and Abating Moisture and Mildew Problems

Florida families become informed about moisture and mildew problems and techniques to control factors that contribute to the problem. This program also provides help to Florida builders and the hotel and motel industry to contain the substantial cost of moisture and mildew problems.

Home Safety and Security Including Air and Water Quality

Families learn how to protect their homes from crime and safety hazards. Housing safety for the elderly is included. Indoor air and drinking water quality.

Home Environment

Florida families are informed about environmental conditions such as ozone, sunlight, lead and household cleaners, and their effect on interior fibers and finishes. Another thrust deals with energy management/conservation in the home, do-it-yourself interior home maintenance and low-cost home improvement, re-spacing, and recycling projects for general and limited income audiences.

Environmental Responsibility and Waste Management

Families learn to minimize the use of toxic home products and dispose of the unwanted remains in an acceptable manner. Families also reduce waste generation which has environmental consequences in the manufacturing/marketing and disposal of products/packaging.

Environmental Responsibility and Conservation

The Conservation Balancing Act is a program to inform and motivate the public to conserve both water and energy in the home including water and water heating costs in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen.

Resources