By Juliette Jardim
October 4, 2010

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake discussed their Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) programs with Executive Vice President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation Ralph Smith; Deputy Director for the White House Office of Recovery Implementation Frank Digiammarino; Deputy Director, Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Matt Ammon; and Executive Director of the National Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisioning Ruth Ann Norton at The U.S. Conference of Mayors Fall Leadership Meeting on September 24.

The National Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning is leading the GHHI project, building on a quarter-century of experience in reducing lead hazards and creating healthy homes. With support from HUD and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Coalition is establishing new public-private partnerships focused squarely on the creation of Green and Healthy Homes.

The Initiative advances “whole house” strategies for environmental health, safety and energy efficiency and will provide a practical roadmap for coordinating various funding streams in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Key partners include the Council on Foundations, national and local foundations, the Federal Healthy Homes Work Group, HUD, CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the 14 project site cities. The goals are broad, connected and critically important: stabilized housing, healthier outcomes for children and families, and better jobs.

Nutter discussed Philadelphia's GHHI program in the context of Greenworks Philadelphia, his comprehensive strategy released a year ago to integrate the values of sustainability into every nook and cranny of government and the city. Nutter discussed the initial challenges of breaking down silos throughout the city, state and federal government in order to implement the program and the progress the city has made towards its high aspirations.

“We're not where we want to be, but [the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative] certainly helped to move Philadelphia in the right direction,” said Nutter regarding the marked accomplishments of the Initiative, which has propelled Philadelphia towards its goal of becoming the greenest city in America by 2015.

Rawlings-Blake highlighted the efficient use of resources, giving the city more positive outcomes for less cost. She also discussed the positive effects the program has had on the city's population, particularly its youth. “We're taking young people that are looking to be involved in the community and looking to gain skills and giving them an opportunity,” said Rawlings-Blake.

Smith discussed the Casey Foundation and the Council on Foundations' support of the Initiative from the beginning. “The work has mushroomed across the country and has exceeded our expectations,” said Smith about the unexpected positive outcomes in GHHI cities throughout the nation.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation and The U.S. Conference of Mayors support the work of mayors and their poverty initiatives through the ongoing USCM/Annie E. Casey Foundation Partnership for Working Families. The Partnership is designed to support the work of the Mayors Task Force on Poverty, Work and Opportunity to significantly increase the visibility of issues related to poverty and the needs of working families.

For more information on the Partnership for Working Families, visit the website http://usmayors.org/workforce/workingfamilies/.