From a presentation entitled “Financing Radon Mitigation: New Steps in 2014,” by Phillip Ray Gibson, at the 24th Annual National Radon Conference, September 2014
By Margaret Henderson
North Carolina is the first state to create a process by which radon mitigations may be accomplished for those persons who are in poverty or are above poverty level but need financial assistance.
From a presentation entitled “Financing Radon Mitigation: New Steps in 2014,” Phillip Gibson of the states’ Radon Program explained that after testing has been accomplished, the next step is answering the question, “How to afford mitigation when that is needed?” He found that while distributing free test kits last year at county health departments, there were individuals sitting in the waiting room – waiting for their doctor’s appointment, watching as he gave away test kits. He noted, “Since the kit was not why they were there, I would share what I was doing, about the kit, about radon and what they would need to do after learning if they had a high level of radon in their home. Although I was offering everyone a free kit, some did not want one, saying they did not want to know because they could not afford to fix their home.”
The Radon Program, through a variety of means, presents information and the kits for testing homes for radon, with the expectation that the resident will take action.
It is the population of 67 percent of the total 9.8 million NC population who own their home that is targeted with the program’s advocacy to test and mitigate. However, many of those homeowners do not have the financial means to accomplish mitigation outright. U.S. Census figures indicate that in North Carolina, 16.8% of people are living below poverty guidelines.
The NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) receives funds from the NC General Assembly to assist homeowners who are economically impoverished as defined by the federal poverty criteria. In the 2014 to 2015 period, 46 local organizations were to serve approximately 1,800 families by making repairs to their homes that address health and safety concerns. The Radon Program advocates for mitigation by a certified mitigator when work is to be done.
In encouraging new approaches for 2014, Mr. Gibson first went to the NCHFA to provide information. After his four presentations at their conferences, the agency made the decision to set aside monies to support radon mitigation. To assist NCHFA with this process, the program offered them 3,600 short-term radon test kits to test the 1,800 homes they had scheduled to rehabilitate in 2014-2015.
Various agencies and organizations receive funds to conduct weatherization assistance to homeowners who have applied. The NC State Energy Office (NCSEO) manages the distribution of Department of Energy (DOE) funds to each of these organizations for weatherization efforts. Mr. Gibson requested the same thing of NCSEO as he did of the NCHFA. The program offered an additional 3,600 radon test kits to serve the approximate 1,800 homes receiving weatherization assistance. (He notes there is some overlap in the clients served, but that agencies will distribute kits appropriately.)
These actions created two mechanisms to assist those who meet the federal poverty criteria. Those organizations deploy the test kits and ensure that they are sent in for analysis. And, those two organizations have a plan for how they will hire a certified mitigator to address the high levels in those homes.
For those who do not meet the federal poverty criteria but are still economically in need of support to hire a certified radon mitigator, a solution exists.
The Self Help Credit Union is a national Credit Union with 14 North Carolina branch offices. The nonprofit Center for Community Self-Help (or Self-Help) combines several organizations that together provide financing, technical support, consumer financial services and advocacy for those left out of the economic mainstream. The credit union is able to create and manage a loan product specifically for radon mitigation for those who are above poverty level. Loans can cover up to $2,500 and require proof of need (proposal or scope of work) from a certified Radon Mitigation Contractor. The check is made payable to both the homeowner and the certified mitigator to assure that the work is performed.
Through outreach to various funding organizations, North Carolina has in place alternatives for persons needing financial assistance with radon mitigations, so that necessary improvements to the household radon levels can be accomplished.
For further information, contact:
Phillip Ray Gibson
Phillip.gibson@dhhs.nc.gov
www.ncradon.org
United States