Healthy Homes
https://www.healthvermont.gov/
enFinancial Assistance
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/financial-assistance
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Financial Assistance</span>
<div property="content:encoded" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Funding Assistance for a Healthier Home</h2><p>If your home has an environmental health problem such as radon, mold, lead or a failing water system, there may be money available to help you fix it. The following programs offer assistance with home repairs for health and safety. Read about the funding options below to see if you qualify.</p></div>
<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/adm-kristencameron" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>adm-kristen.cameron</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2025-03-05T15:46:12+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-03-05T10:46:12-05:00" title="Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - 10:46" class="datetime">Wed, 03/05/2025 - 10:46</time>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>General Home Repair</h2><p>The following organizations offer help with funding repairs for a healthy home, including radon mitigation, getting rid of mold, lead testing and remediation, and repairing or constructing a water system.</p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>NeighborWorks organizations provide low-cost loans and grants for home repairs. To be eligible, you must:</p><ul><li>Own and occupy your home.</li><li>Have a gross household income less than 80% of the area median income.</li></ul><p>There are five NeighborWorks organizations serving Vermont:</p><ul><li>The <a href="https://www.getahome.org/home-repair-loans/">Champlain Housing Trust </a>serves Chittenden*, Franklin and Grand Isle counties (*Burlington properties are not eligible).</li><li><a href="https://downstreet.org/gmhr">Downstreet Housing & Community Development</a> serves Washington, Orange and Lamoille counties.</li><li><a href="https://ruraledge.org/home-repair">RuralEdge</a> serves Caledonia, Orleans and Essex counties.</li><li><a href="https://www.nwwvt.org/home-repair-loans/">NeighborWorks of Western Vermont</a> serves Addison, Rutland and Bennington counties.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.homemattershere.org/home-repair/">Windham & Windsor Housing Trust</a> serves Windham and Windsor counties. <br> </li></ul></div>
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<div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">USDA Rural Development's Section 504 Housing Program</div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants">Section 504 Home Repair program </a>provides low-cost loans and grants to eligible Vermonters. To be eligible for a loan, you must:</p><ul><li>Own and occupy your home.</li><li>Have a gross household income less than 50% of your area’s median income.</li><li>Live in an eligible area. (<a href="https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=sfpd">Check your address to determine your eligibility.</a> Burlington residents are not eligible.)<br> </li></ul><p>To qualify for a grant, you must be 62 or older and unable to repay a loan. Applicants under age 62 are eligible only for loans. Call the On-Site Loan Program at <a href="tel:8024616051">802-461-6051</a> or visit the <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants">United States Department of Agriculture website </a>for more information.</p></div>
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Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:46:12 +0000adm-kristen.cameron644533 at https://www.healthvermont.govPests and Bed Bugs
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/pests-and-bed-bugs
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Pests and Bed Bugs</span>
<div property="content:encoded" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Using Pesticides in Your Home</h2>
<p>Pests in and around our homes can be a nuisance. Pests include insects (for example, cockroaches, bed bugs, wasps, and garden bugs), rodents (for example, mice and rats), and weeds. The pesticides, or chemicals, we use to treat pests can cause serious health problems. Pesticides can contaminate our indoor environment, cause and trigger allergies and asthma, and be especially dangerous to children, pregnant women, and pets.</p>
<h3>Integrated Pest Management (IPM)</h3>
<p>Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a safer, effective, and environmentally friendly method used to control pests that is based on common-sense principles and science. This method focuses on minimizing the use of hazardous pesticides by first using knowledge of the life cycles of pests and how they interact with their environment to figure out the best ways to control the problem. If chemicals must be used, safer pesticides are chosen.</p>
<p><strong>Be very cautious about using pesticides yourself. </strong>Pesticides can be hazardous to people and pets. If you choose to use a pesticide, or a licensed pest control professional suggests you use one, follow these precautions:</p>
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<p>Only use pesticides clearly labeled for the type of pest you want to get rid of. Never use a pesticide that does not list the pest on the label.</p>
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<p>Never use a product that is labelled for “outdoor use only” indoors.</p>
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<p>Follow label instructions exactly.</p>
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<p>Never spray pesticides on top of mattresses or sofas, or in areas where children or pets are present.</p>
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<p>Never purchase or use a product without a manufacturer’s label and never buy pesticides from street vendors.</p>
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<p>Avoid using “insecticide bombs” and “foggers” in your home. These products can spread hazardous chemicals throughout your home.</p>
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<p>The Department of Housing and Urban Development has more information on <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_25454.pdf">IPM and Safe Pest Control</a>.</p>
<h2>Bed Bugs</h2>
<p>Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They are usually active at night when people are sleeping. Adult bed bugs have flat, rusty-red-colored oval bodies. About the size of an apple seed, they are big enough to be easily seen, but often hide in cracks in furniture, floors, or walls. When bed bugs feed, their bodies swell and become brighter red. They can live for several months without food or water.</p>
<p>Bed bugs bite, but they do not transmit disease. Bed bugs painlessly feed on their host, injecting a tiny amount of saliva in the process, which can result in mild to severe allergic reactions. Many people do not react to bed bug bites, although the bite may leave a small welt. These welts do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites. Excessive scratching of these bites is highly discouraged as it can lead to secondary infections.</p>
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<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin395 at https://www.healthvermont.govMold
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/mold
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Mold </span>
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<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin394 at https://www.healthvermont.govCarbon Monoxide
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/carbon-monoxide
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Carbon Monoxide</span>
<div property="content:encoded" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Carbon Monoxide in Your Home</h2>
<p>Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. It is produced when liquid, solid or gas fuel is burned — such as natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, wood and wood pellets. Dangerous levels can build up quickly in your home, garage, or other enclosed areas. CO poisoning is more often a problem in the colder months since that is when Vermonters burn fuel to keep warm and their homes are closed up.</p>
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<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin393 at https://www.healthvermont.govRadon
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/radon
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Radon </span>
<div property="content:encoded" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Radon in Your Home</h2><p>One in seven Vermont homes has elevated levels of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has no color, smell or taste. Radon comes from the decay of uranium, which is a radioactive element found naturally in the Earth’s crust. Over billions of years, uranium decays into radium, and eventually, radon. Radon is present in outdoor air, and radon levels can build up inside your home.</p><p><span class="highlighted">Unless you test for it, there is no way of knowing if radon is in your home.</span></p><p class="btn button"><a href="#test">Order a Radon Test Kit</a></p></div>
<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Translated information in: </strong><a href="#translations">االعربية (Arabic) | دری (Dari) | English | Français (French) | Español (Spanish) | Kiswahili (Swahili)</a></p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Watch this video and hear one Vermonter’s story about the impact of high levels of radon in her childhood home.</p><div class="media media--type-remote-video media--view-mode-default">
<div class="field field--name-field-media-oembed-video field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"><iframe src="https://www.healthvermont.gov/media/oembed?url=https%3A//youtu.be/xepXlm2L4l4&max_width=0&max_height=0&hash=EdxM_m260oU6rhlUd0GoMWQgtetLX7SoHRTnNH6b06M" width="200" height="113" class="media-oembed-content" loading="eager" title="Kathy’s Radon Story"></iframe>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin392 at https://www.healthvermont.govIndoor Air Quality
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/indoor-air-quality
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Indoor Air Quality</span>
<div property="content:encoded" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Air Quality in Your Home</h2>
<p>National studies have shown that air pollution in our homes can be more of a health concern than air pollution outside. Indoor pollutant levels may, in fact, be many times higher than outdoor levels. There are three main reasons why indoor air quality is becoming more of a health concern:</p>
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<p>It is estimated that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors.</p>
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<p>More harmful chemicals are used in building materials, furnishings, pesticides, and household cleaning and personal care products.</p>
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<p>Homes and other buildings may not be properly ventilated.</p>
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<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin391 at https://www.healthvermont.govHome Renovations and Your Health
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/home-renovations-and-your-health
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Home Renovations and Your Health</span>
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<h2>What to Do Before Renovating Your Home</h2></div>
<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin390 at https://www.healthvermont.govLead Hazards and Lead Poisoning
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/lead-hazards-and-lead-poisoning
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Lead Hazards and Lead Poisoning</span>
<div property="content:encoded" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Lead Hazards in Your Home</h2>
<p>Lead poisoning is a serious but <strong>preventable</strong> health problem. Lead is a highly toxic metal that has been commonly used in many household, industrial and automobile products — such as paint, solder, batteries, brass, car radiators, bullets, pottery, etc. Too much lead in the body, or lead poisoning, can cause serious and permanent health problems. Children and <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/file/13401">people who are pregnant</a> are at special risk.</p>
<p>The major source of lead poisoning in Vermont children is lead dust from chipping or peeling lead-based paint, but there are many other lead hazards. <span class="highlighted">Lead poisoning can be prevented when you know what danger signs and hazards to look for.</span></p>
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<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Translated information in: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_lGLGkAgSA&index=9&list=PLk9-Nj2hBiYroy7YQ0g_PfIianByJWmZ1" target="_blank">العربية (Arabic)</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uhk4nPTfiM&index=6&list=PLk9-Nj2hBiYroy7YQ0g_PfIianByJWmZ1">English</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuktT22eEQo&index=7&list=PLk9-Nj2hBiYroy7YQ0g_PfIianByJWmZ1" target="_blank">नेपाली (Nepali)</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We_8Ae1l3kg&index=8&list=PLk9-Nj2hBiYroy7YQ0g_PfIianByJWmZ1" target="_blank">Soomaali (Somali)</a></p></div>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin389 at https://www.healthvermont.govSafe Home Environment
https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/healthy-homes/safe-home-environment
<span property="dc:title" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Safe Home Environment</span>
<div property="content:encoded" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>Staying Safe in Your Home</h2>
<p>Injuries, accidents and poisonings are common in homes. Taking the following precautions can help prevent them from happening in your home and help to keep yourself and your family safe.</p>
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<span rel="sioc:has_creator" class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.healthvermont.gov/users/vdhadmin" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>vdhadmin</span></span>
<span property="dc:date dc:created" content="2016-07-18T14:22:59+00:00" datatype="xsd:dateTime" class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-07-18T10:22:59-04:00" title="Monday, July 18, 2016 - 10:22" class="datetime">Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:22</time>
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Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:22:59 +0000vdhadmin388 at https://www.healthvermont.gov