A Need for Environmentally
Safe and Healthy Housing
By Mary Tellers
“Because of my sensitivity to chemicals and electromagnetic
radiation, at one point in my life, I had to move ten times in seven
years.” Seminar Participant, October 2005, Environmentally
Safe Housing Group, Third Way Network.
When No Place is Safe to Live
Moving to a new residence
ranks as one of the top causes of stress in a person’s life.
Imagine dealing with a severe illness that both debilitates your
ability to work and also forces you to move because your housing
is making you sick. Now, imagine having to do that ten times in
seven years!!! Does this sound like a hopeless situation? For the
chemically and electromagnetically challenged population, this
scenario can occur frequently.
Lack of affordable housing is a growing problem in Minnesota and
across the U.S. Affordable environmentally safe housing is virtually
non-existent for the 16% of the population that is environmentally
sensitive. It is an invisible issue to the majority of the population
because this injured segment of our society has no one to champion
their cause.
In September 2005, a group of twelve individuals, some of them chemically
and electromagnetically sensitive, came together under the leadership
of Third Way Network to address this need. The Environmentally Safe
Housing Group met for ten weeks to explore the possibility of creating
affordable environmentally safe housing.
TWNetwork is a non-profit organization whose mission is to engage
individuals and organizations to create affordable housing, be good
neighbors, and promote safe, healthy neighborhoods. TWNetwork offers
a holistic affordable housing solution in partnership with local
groups, strategic partners, property owners, and financial sponsors.
Environmentally Safe and Healthy Housing
for Everyone
As a member of TWNetwork, the Environmentally Safe Housing Group
represents a grassroots initiative to make its vision of creating
housing for the chemically and electromagnetically sensitive population
a reality. We will start by identifying two demonstration housing
projects by the end of 2005 that will involve remodeling and electrical
mitigation.
We are committed to
engaging other groups and individuals in the Twin Cities to identify
and create housing that is safe and attainable for people with
electromagnetic, chemical or other environmental sensitivities.
Are you interested in creating environmentally safe housing? We
are looking for a volunteer base of people with electromagnetic
and chemical sensitivities as well as those who are committed to
a proactive approach for creating “environmentally safe” housing
for themselves and to benefit everyone. This includes: renters, homeowners,
formerly homeless, developers, building contractors, landlords, property
managers, realtors, bankers, neighborhood leaders, architects, construction
workers, and other interested individuals.
An Invitation to Participate
We are excited to begin
our new venture to create hope, healthy environments and a future
for those who have no voice. The Environmentally Safe Housing Group
invites you to share our dream by making a four-month commitment
and offering your time, commitment, and/or monetary contribution.
If you would like to participate at any level and/or are looking
for more information about the group’s vision, please contact
Diana Valentine at Third Way Network at 612-332-1311 x 24 or by email
at ValentineDiana@ThirdWayNetwork.org
