EveryStep asks Norwalk for help to sustain Healthy Homes program as HUD grant ends
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Summary
EveryStep CEO Trey Wade told Norwalk council that the HUD‑funded Healthy Homes program — which remediates housing hazards for families with asthma — is ending and the nonprofit is seeking local partners to continue services; the council agreed to add a deeper discussion to a future agenda.
During the public comment portion of the Feb. 5 meeting, Trey Wade, CEO of EveryStep, asked Norwalk’s council to consider local support to keep the Healthy Homes program running after a HUD grant expires. EveryStep operates a suite of community services across the metro area, and Wade said the Healthy Homes initiative performs in‑home remediation and education to reduce asthma triggers and other environmental health risks.
Wade and a colleague described the program’s typical case work: they receive referrals from clinicians and emergency departments, visit homes to identify mold, pests and ventilation problems, provide education and supplies such as HEPA vacuums, and connect families to other services. A staff speaker said EveryStep has served roughly 60 Norwalk families across its programs and reported a 64% reduction in emergency‑room visits in cases served by the Healthy Homes program.
Wade said the program’s HUD funding is expiring and that sustaining and expanding the effort would require roughly $280,000–$300,000 to fund two to three full‑time staff to operate the program regionally. Council members asked questions and ultimately moved to place a "Healthy Homes deeper dive" on a future agenda for a more detailed policy and funding discussion.
No formal commitment of city funds was made at the meeting; the item was scheduled for future council consideration.
