***UPDATE: Germano Tenants joined 4 other buildings to hold an action on May 10, 2019. Tenants WON a meeting with top HUD official Joseph Galvan, for May 31. Please see article for more info: https://bit.ly/2LN7Myi

ASE has been working with Germano Millgate residents to address health and safety issues, since 2013.

Background
Area asthma prevalence is 17-24%. Based on 2015 survey of Germano tenants, 52.4% of the respondents reported that at least one person in their household had asthma. 34.9% of households had asthmatic children and 34.9% had asthmatic adults. For the asthmatic population, 36.4% made at least one trip to the hospital and 41% used an inhaler 3+ times/mo.

Asthma triggers include: pests, leaking pipes, mold, and dust. Asthma exacerbators include: excessive cold in the apartments and area violence, which studies have linked to childhood asthma.

Accomplishments
The Germano Millgate Leadership Team has been working to address health and safety issues, and reduce asthma triggers within the Germano housing complex. As a result of organizing efforts, success include:

• $1.6 million released to fund capital improvements at Germano, including tuck pointing, and replacing 1/3 of carpets and 3 boilers in 2017.
• Regular meetings with the owner, management, HUD, and security to address asthma triggers/ exacerbators.
• An agreement by the owner in 2015 to use Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to address the top 5 tenant-identified priorities for major repairs to address asthma triggers and exacerbators, including: 1) tuckpointing and weatherization, 2) fixing leaking pipes, and performing mold inspections and remediation, 3) safety issues/ reducing the incidence of violence at Germano, 4) carpet removal, and 5) ongoing maintenance.
• 45% reduction in three asthma triggers, including pests. Results are based on comparisons between 2013 and 2015 surveys, conducted by Germano tenants.
• 1000+ repairs done in a 4 month period between September-December 2013
• Additionally, Germano leaders held 3 Community Safety meetings with 20+ organizations to discuss long-term solutions for area violence in 2016.