EnvironmentalCommittee
2009 2008 2007 2006 San Francisco Asthma Task Force Environmental Committee 10/3/07
present: Anjali Nath, Stephanie Manfre, Vince Fabris of DBI, Karen Cohn, Neil Gendel, Jessica Henn of RAMP (on phone)
Introductions-
Jessica from RAMP will be polling Bay Area Asthma Coalitions about their local code enforcement programs, doing a needs assessment- suggested after a regional meeting- lack of code enforcement follow up after asthma home visits (in SF happens through DPH and DBI)- not happening in other counties.
Vince- DBI had training with cameras- Vince and another staff person will get certified.
SFHA Work:
SFHA has received 3rd camera, extra batteries
Anjali is working on evaluation with CAFA- Potential source for tenants to be evaluated through SFHA/DBI log.
Karen has been in touch with ACORN regarding SF HOPE- redevelopment of housing units- ACORN is doing advocacy and tenant education and have helped to develop tenant unions at housing sites. HOPE SF proposal lacks immediacy- no $ available now. Karen gave ACORN asthma data for their arguments to the Board of Supervisors regarding HOPE SF. They are advocating for 10 Million- want to know what it is being used for. Karen suggests getting rid of SFHA mold backlog, addressing habitability issues- there are large vacancies at Hunters View b/c they don’t want to fix units.
Healthy Housing Guidance
Ben has been working with Karen on guidance- document is more of a “how to” guide- too in-depth for a mass mailing of property owners. Two documents will be developed- 1) “You are required…”- rental property owner notice ( Karen handed out draft document)- copied from lead guide- should be a stand alone document which would be mailed out to all property owners.
2) “Here’s how to fix…”- follow up document available to those who ask for it.
Healthy Housing Legislation
Rajiv spoke with SF Health Commission yesterday regarding air quality- came out of discussions regarding Lennar Construction. He showed there are no IAQ regulations- his department has done modeling regarding air quality/traffic, walkability, etc. Also, addressing why we have housing where people shouldn’t be living, particulate data (not only diesel, main process is all combustion processes, all vehicles). All relates to dust construction, grilling in restaurants. Rajiv also mentioned potential ATF legislation, commission was supportive.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS FOR LEGISLATION:
Tenant: Resource Groups:
SF Tenants Union- Ted Gullickson Family Support Network
Housing Rights Coleman Advocates
Acorn Families in SRO Collab.
CCDC POWER
CPA Tobacco Free Coalition
Asian Neighborhood Design
PODER
Landlord/Property Owners:
Jenan/Sean SFAA
Real Estate Groups
Chinese Property Owners
Agencies:
MOH
Redevelopment
DBI
SFE
DPH
SFHA
SF Hope
DCYF
Board of Supervisors
CEOP
SRO Task Force
Experts:
Rajiv
Michael Palmer, SFI
Steve Heilig- SF Medical Society
We need to find out what their commitment is, legislation/implementation? What resources are available? What are costs associated with legislation? Karen will start with visits.
Karen mentioned that California Breathing just released their surveillance report, SF prevalence not bad- based upon CHIS data, in many ways may undermine what we doing- we need to focus on broad scope of health concerns, not only asthma.
