Blog Posts By Date: August 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic and recent wildfires remind us of the importance of safe and permanent housing for protecting one’s health. In response to COVID-19, the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) and Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless (ACHCH) partnered with Abode Services and the State of California to implement Project Roomkey. Project Roomkey provides our unsheltered neighbors with isolation housing to recover from COVID-19 and safe housing for high-risk populations to help prevent them from contracting the virus.
These partners have now taken on Governor Newsom’s 100 Day Challenge Initiative to address homelessness and are looking for property owners and landlords to help residents leaving Project Roomkey find permanent housing. The Alameda County 100 Day Challenge Initiative aims to disrupt the cycle of homelessness by placing our unsheltered neighbors exiting Project Roomkey into permanent housing. more...
Climate change continues to impact our community dramatically, with California’s annual fire season lasting longer and setting new records nearly every year. Wildfire smoke poses a number of public health concerns, especially for children, seniors, and individuals with underlying heart and lung illnesses.
Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke:
As the wildfires continue to affect the air quality in Alameda County, the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) reminds residents of the following guidelines to help protect their health from wildfire smoke: more...
The global pandemic known as COVID-19 has dramatically disrupted the ways we handle business, interact with others, and who we allow in our homes. With that said, it is easily understood why many homeowners and homebuyers believe that this is not the most suitable time for selling or purchasing a new property. However, home sellers sitting on the sidelines might be passing up the opportunity to make large amounts of profits on their property. While homebuyers who assume they can't schedule home tours right now might be forfeiting their chance to snag their dreams.
To help you separate the truths from the half-truths from the utter falsehoods that might be filling your social media feeds, here are five common myths about real estate during the Coronavirus pandemic—debunked: more...
Martin Grube, FEMA - 44263 - Mold Remediation Awareness, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
Overview:
During the humid summer months, mold can be an unwanted guest. Taking the steps to prevent mold before it can grow out of control is essential. We’re already partway through the summer, but there are things we can do and change to protect our home from mold damage. Stopping mold before it starts, or even in its beginning stages, before it has the chance to grow, will help prevent a greater problem down the road.
Some mold can also be identified by smell. In general, the smell of mold is unpleasant and smells like something is moist in the room. Some people compare it to the smell of wet socks, or rotten wood or paper. When mold eats, grows, and multiplies, it releases Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOC). There are many of these compounds, or chemicals, that are released as mold grows, but some of the most common have smells that are pungent and musty. Their scent is also described as earthy or meaty, likened to the smell following rain. Others have an acetone-like, or camphor-like odor, with some described as herbaceous, nutty, or fatty. Another MVOC releases an alcohol fermentation smell. more...