In 2019, the Coast Guard began a long-term program making sure all housing Coast Guard families received assignments to live were all safe. This commitment - the Safe Homes Initiative (SHI) – makes sure that Coast Guard housing is in compliance with federal environmental standards for lead, asbestos and radon. To date, all Coast Guard-owned family houses constructed prior to 1979 have received an assessment for lead, asbestos, and radon. In addition, Coast Guard owned family houses constructed after 1979 have been tested for radon. In cases where these assessments identified health risks, the findings were communicated to the residents as well as up, down, and across the chain of command. In many cases, potential health risks were eliminated by simply cleaning the house. However, in other cases, effective interim controls were put in place until more comprehensive remediation can be completed. Under no circumstances have at-risk families been allowed to reside in housing without effective control measures in place.
“The welfare of our members and their families is of utmost importance, and we are committed to ensuring Coast Guard housing is safe and compliant with environmental standards, “said SHI project officer Cmdr. Jeton Devereaux. “SHI is comprised of multiple stakeholders at all levels of the Coast Guard who continue to demonstrate their unwavering support to members and families by keeping SHI a top priority.”
Although SHI is now largely focused on remediation efforts, the Coast Guard will continue to identify, monitor, and track findings through required inspections and maintaining current environmental risk data in the Coast Guard housing database.
For up-to-date information, visit the Coast Guard Safe Home Initiative. With any specific questions, email to Coast Guard headquarters housing staff at. Or with policy questions, contact Coast Guard Office of Military Policy (CG-1333).
References:
Coast Guard Safe Homes Initiative ALCOAST 072/20
Coast Guard Safe Homes Initiative – SITREP 1 ALCOAST 189/20
Coast Guard Safe Homes Initiative – SITREP 2 ALCOAST 019/21