Pests, Mold, Smoking Identified As Common Hazards Affecting Alexandria Homes

ALEXANDRIA, VA — After a survey of residents' home conditions found pests, mold and smoking are common concerns, Alexandria’s Healthy Homes Network is seeking more community feedback to identify the causes and find solutions for renters, homeowners and property managers.

A community survey of Alexandrians in late 2023 with over 800 responses found the most frequent concerns in homes were pests like bugs, mice or rats (35 percent of respondents), smell of tobacco or marijuana smoke (21 percent), signs of mold or moisture (21 percent) need for major repairs (16 percent), clutter (12 percent) and crowding/not enough space for everyone in the household (11 percent).

On what survey respondents think made a healthy home, the most common responses were clean, safe and secure, supporting physical and emotional wellbeing, ventilated with good air quality, free of pests, well maintained with timely repairs, free of environmental hazards like mold, and access to basic amenities and utilities.

The survey was organized by Alexandria’s Healthy Homes Network, a coalition of city agencies and partner organizations formed last June to improve conditions within homes. The Alexandria Health Department and home repair nonprofit Rebuilding Together co-chair the initiative.

The Alexandria Health Department already runs an ALX Breathes program to provide free assistance to people with asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) to eliminate hazards to breathing in their homes.

The coalition says on the city's website that hazards within homes especially affect lower-income residents, people with disabilities, seniors, and communities of color. According to a health department spokesperson, 34 percent of survey respondents were homeowners or living in owned homes, 54 percent were living in rented properties and 12 percent did not say where they lived. There were 39 percent of respondents with household income below $90,000 and 23 percent with $90,000 percent of more. The greatest age groups represented in the survey were 30s (20 percent), 40s (16 percent), 50s to 64 (14 percent) and 65 to 79 (12 percent).

Due to the survey findings, the coalition decided to seek more community feedback.

"Residents experiencing home condition issues usually have the best insights into common challenges and potential solutions," the health department shared with Patch. "Through engagement like Community Conversations, the Healthy Homes Network is working alongside residents to figure out what hasn’t worked in the past and jointly develop new, effective models."

Two upcoming one-hour sessions will focus on discussing solutions to top health issues. The first will be a virtual session on May 15 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Zoom.

The second is an in-person session on May 25 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center. Registered participants can arrive at 11:30 a.m. for a free meal or to enroll children ages 4 to 12 in free childminding services. Attendees will be entered to win a free HEPA air purifier.