The not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) has received national honors for its Healthy Homes initiative.The program received a Best Practices rating from the NeighborWorks America Rural Task Force. NeighborWorks, which is publishing the report, is a congressionally chartered organization that supports community development through grants and technical assistance.NECAC has been a chartered member of NeighborWorks since 2004, and has used grants to finance a variety of home-ownership and housing-rehabilitation programs.The author of the Best Practices report, Jayne Windham of Housing Compliance Solutions LLC of York, Pa., said NECAC “has made a world of difference to individuals” who were part of the Healthy Homes program.“Armed with the information and opportunity to help control their own health and well-being, occupants, lives have changed for the better,” Windham wrote. “And medical providers, noticing the results in reduced visits and better health, have been willing to contribute financial support to the educational component of healthy housing.”“We are very honored and proud to receive Best Practices recognition for this important program,” said NECAC Deputy Director for Housing Development Programs Carla Potts, who developed Healthy Homes. “We are excited about how Healthy Homes has already made a significant impact, and we look forward to expanding it.”Healthy Homes is a partnership between NECAC, NeighborWorks, the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Wells Fargo, Rural LISC, SSM Health Care and Mercy hospitals.Eligible homes in Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis and Warren counties are being weatherized by NECAC crews. The idea is to create healthier living conditions by removing environmental hazards and contaminants such as asbestos, mold and lead paint.The average cost per home is $5,000 to $6,000 ­— much less than the re-admittance fines hospitals are required to pay for patients who come back within 30 days of discharge, as outlined in the Affordable Care Act.NECAC recently received a $17,000 grant from Rural LISC to coordinate Healthy Homes education. Rural LISC is a national group that coordinates resources between the public and private sectors to help rural communities with investments and developments.The Best Practices report features three case studies of people whose lives improved after their homes were weatherized.“There may be a trickle-down effect to this investment,” Potts said. “NECAC’s expansion of Healthy Homes would provide stimulus to help local businesses, add jobs and allow hospitals to put money into other needed areas.”More information about Healthy Homes is available by calling Potts at 573-324-6622.NECAC