What we do What we do Healthy Kids
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Climate Justice

Climate change affects all of us, but it hits low-income communities first and worst.

Toxic-Free Neighborhoods

Low income communities of color have long struggled with racist land use practices that diminish their health, safety and quality of life.

Community Land-Use Planning

Under California law, all municipalities are required to complete General Plans which provide a blueprint and long range vision for cities.

Clean Air

For many years, residents in the community of Barrio Logan complained about the increasing heavy-duty diesel truck traffic on their neighborhood streets.

Border Environmental Justice

EHC reduces toxic pollution caused by maquiladora industries in Tijuana and promotes fair trade and globalization for justice.

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In this section

Children in our communities deserve healthy homes and communities where they can grow up without exposure to toxic chemicals.

  • Asthma attacks resulting in hospitalizations and emergency room visits are up to three times higher for children living in communities with high levels of air pollution
  • Many homes in low-income communities were built before 1979 and still have lead-based paint
  • More than 15 years ago, parents reported their children getting sick after ingesting candy later found to have high levels of lead

EHC’s Healthy Kids Campaign works to reduce or eliminate environmental childhood health hazards and promote homes and communities that are safe, healthy, accessible and affordable.

Learn more about Children and Toxics, Childhood Lead-Poisoning Prevention and Lead-Free Candy.

Aaaaa home should be a place where children can grow up in a healthy and nurturing environment. Sadly, families in low-income communities spend the bulk of their income on housing, and deteriorating housing stock intensifies the challenge for many families to find healthy homes.

Saving Energy At Home

EHC has helped families save on energy costs and make their homes healthier and more comfortable by:

  • Improving ventilation in older homes to reduce respiratory illnesses resulting from mold and carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Ensuring that families are reducing the use of pesticides
  • Helping families switch to non-toxic household cleaning products 
  • Working with families to make simple changes to their daily lifestyles that will reduce their energy consumption
  • Assisting families to apply for programs that can provide home improvements

Home Energy Assessments

A home energy assessment is the first step to make a home more energy efficient. EHC’s Promotoras work with residents and owners to make changes that help residents use less energy and save money.

Once families make the connection that energy from polluting power sources is used every time they leave a light switch on or take a long, hot shower, they understand that their actions are saving money on their energy bill and saving our environment, protecting workers and improving our health.

Contact EHC for your home energy assessment, or click here to conduct your own.

Building A Healthy Home

There are many programs available to make a home as healthy as possible for our families. If you live in National City or in the communities of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights or City Heights, contact EHCabout our current programs.

Outside of EHC, the San Diego Housing Commission has several programs available. Visit its Rehab Loanprogram (most are zero or low-interest deferred loans), the HELP Loan program (forgivable loans for exterior and interior enhancement and water and energy conservation improvements) and the Lead Safety Collaborative Program to explore which options are best for you.

A home should be a place where children can grow up in a healthy and nurturing environment.  Despite spending the bulk of their income on housing, the deteriorating housing stock in low-income communities makes this goal a challenge for many families.  

EHC’s Green and Healthy Homes project helps families save on energy costs and make their homes healthier and more comfortable by:

  • Improving ventilation in older homes to reduce respiratory illnesses resulting from mold and carbon monoxide poisoning;
  • Ensuring that families are reducing the use of pesticides;
  • Helping families switch to non-toxic household cleaning products; and
  • Working with families to make simple changes to their daily lifestyles that will reduce their energy consumption.
  • Assisting families apply for programs that can provide home improvements.

Home Energy Assessments

A home energy assessment is the first step to make a home more energy efficient. As part of the energy assessment, EHC’s Promotoras evaluate a home’s energy efficiency and work with residents and owners to make changes that help residents use less energy and save money.

Energy audits help families understand that every time they leave on light switch or take a long warm shower, energy from polluting power sources is used. Once families make the connection, they know that their actions are not just saving money on their energy bill but saving our planet, protecting workers and improving our health.

Click here to conduct your own energy assessment.

Help is available

There are many programs available to make San Diego’s housing green and healthy. If you live in National City or in the communities of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, or City Heights, contact EHC (link to email) about our current programs.

The San Diego Housing Commission has several programs available to help make homes repairs.  Visit the Rehab Loan (most are zero or low interest deferred loans), the HELP Loan program (forgivable loans for exterior and interior enhancement and water and energy conservation improvements) and “Home Safe Home” sections of their website.