Improving Kids' Environment is a partner in the Citizen's Healthy Homes Initiative with the Concerned Clergy and the Citizen's Multi-Service Center.  As a partner, IKE wrote a Needs Assessment for the Kennedy-King Park Neighborhood on Indianapolis' Near Northeast Side.  The Needs Assessment was published on August 23, 2003. Back to Main Report

Indianapolis Citizen’s Healthy Homes Initiative

Kennedy-King Park Neighborhood Needs Assessment

Finding #4

 191 of 446 homes had at least one obvious code violations likely to cause health hazards

CHHI reviewed the photos of the homes in the Kennedy-King Park Neighborhood and rated each home based on seven code violations that are most likely to cause health hazards to residents.  CHHI used the following scale:

·        Very Low Risk - no visible code violations

·        Low Risk – code violation visible but no evidence that it is likely to cause immediate hazard

·        Serious Risk – code violation visible with evidence that it is likely to cause hazard.

·        High Risk – code violations visible with evidence that it has already caused hazard.

Boarded and vacant homes usually had several high risk code violations.

43% of the homes in the Kennedy-King Park Neighborhood have one or more serious risk code violation may result in environmental hazards in the home and, if not fixed, may cause the home eventually to be demolished.  Only 28% of the homes have no visible exterior problems.  The remaining 29% of homes had code violations but none of those violations were considered serious.  See Figure 3 for a summary of the problems.  

The most common serious problems were:

·    Windows – 25% of the homes have broken or seriously damaged windows that allow water get into the home and the walls.  Water rots the wood and plaster, peels paint (including lead-based paint), and leads to mold and cockroaches.  An additional 29% are in poor condition.

·    Gutter – 20% of the homes have hanging or missing gutters or downspouts that let water get into the home or can damage the roof.  An additional 17% are in poor condition.

·    Paint – 17% of the homes have extensive amounts of exterior peeling paint with bare wood exposed.  Since most of the homes were built before 1960, the exterior paint is probably lead-based paint that contaminates the soil and the home to poison children.  An additional 28% of the homes have significant amounts of peeling paint.

·   Siding – 17% of the homes have extensive damaged or missing siding that is most likely letting water get into the home and walls.  An additional 22% of the homes have some damaged siding that will get worse if not repaired.

·    Roofing – 10% of the homes have a roof that is damaged or sagging.  This problem will let water gets into the home and walls.  An additional 15% have damaged shingles or facing boards.  

Early and proactive intervention can fix the little problems before they become overwhelming.  This approach could keep these homes safer, healthier, and more affordable – and prevent them from being abandoned.