44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S COMMITTEE ON CONCERNS OF THE HANDICAPPED TO STUDY THE HOUSING NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AND TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

WHEREAS, lack of adequate housing is consistently identified as the number one problem for people with multiple chemical sensitivities; and

WHEREAS, many individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities are homeless during the course of their illness, forced to live outdoors or under substandard conditions due to their illness; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for both short-term and long-term housing, as well as emergency shelter for such individuals; and

WHEREAS, people with multiple chemical sensitivities are often denied adequate housing due to the presence of chemical barriers or subtle or overt discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the presence of chemicals found in most paints, plywood, particle board, pesticides, new carpeting and many maintenance and cleaning products blocks access for people with multiple chemical sensitivities just as physical barriers block access for people who use wheelchairs; and

WHEREAS, multiple chemical sensitivities is recognized as a potentially disabling condition by the federal social security administration and the United States department of housing and urban development and is covered under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the federal Fair Housing Act; and

WHEREAS, the department of health has determined that sixteen percent of the general population and twenty-seven percent of Native Americans in New Mexico report being chemically sensitive and two percent of the population has been diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivities; and

WHEREAS, educating housing providers about the needs of people with multiple chemical sensitivities, using less toxic materials for housing construction and remodeling and increasing flexibility in zoning regulations, building codes, shelter rules and other common housing-related practices and conditions would significantly increase housing and shelter opportunities for people with multiple chemical sensitivities; and

WHEREAS, affordable and accessible housing would help people with multiple chemical sensitivities stabilize and improve their health and increase their ability to continue or return to employment; and

WHEREAS, increasing the availability of affordable, less toxic housing would also benefit the general population, especially those with asthma, chronic lung disease or other respiratory illnesses, infants, children, the elderly, pregnant women and Native Americans;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped, together with the New Mexico mortgage finance authority and other appropriate state agencies, study ways in which the state can help provide housing and shelter for people with multiple chemical sensitivities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study address issues of affordability, zoning, building materials, maintenance and cleaning products and practices, indoor and outdoor air quality and barriers to the use of community housing programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study identify barriers to housing and shelter for people with multiple chemical sensitivities and propose solutions to eliminate or reduce those barriers, including consideration of building code variances; zoning exemptions; education of builders, architects and housing providers; supplemental housing subsidies; and extension of visiting time limitations in state parks; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped report the findings to the legislative health and human services committee at its October 2000 meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped, the New Mexico mortgage finance authority and the legislative health and human services committee.