In the summer of 2002, a $75,000 legal settlement was appropriated to the Environmental Health Section to conduct a feasibility study of rehabilitating private, affordable rental units occupied by asthmatics in order to reduce exposure to dust mites. Currently, Environmental Health Section is working with a non-profit housing developer to renovate up to 10 units in cooperation with asthmatic tenants.

Lessons learned from this pilot study could support construction and remodeling approaches that consider the needs of asthmatics.