HEALTH
STARTS WITH
THE HOME
​
Safe, Affordable, and Environmentally Friendly Homes for People with Chronic Diseases
The goal of this project is to provide a progressive reproducible model for affordable housing focused on holistic well-being, sustainability, and environmental impact. Born out of immense need, this initial development is designed to help address the unique housing and health challenges of the growing ME/CFS, Long COVID, and Lyme disease communities. This will be the first of several community-based housing developments planned for the United States.
FUNDAMENTALS:
NON-TOXIC MATERIALS
Crucial to developing Canary Home designs is identifying potentially hazardous materials and sourcing naturally-derived alternatives that won't cause a reaction in the residents.
ABUNDANT NATURAL LIGHTING
The abundant availability of lighting to promote human and plant health in the dwelling is a crucial part of designing for health and well-being. Beyond the obvious benefits of sunlight for human well-being (especially in winter months), creating a positive environment for plants helps to clean the air and maintain a good atmosphere in the home.
MOLD & PEST RESISTANT MATERIALS
The 'silent killer' in many homes is the pervasiveness of hidden mold and pest residue. Canary homes use hempcrete among other mold-and-pest-resistant materials to prevent a buildup of mycotoxins in the walls.
NATURAL HEMP WALLS
A different approach, using a time-tested sustainable material.
Typical modern-day walls are filled with surprises: mold, dust, pests, rodents, un-shielded wiring, leaky pipes, and more. We can and must build better homes for generations to come.
The Numbers
80,000+
55M+
CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
AMERICANS WITH CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES
$50B+
1
ANNUAL COST OF SICK BUILDINGS IN THE UNITED STATES
HUD-FUNDED ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE DEVELOPMENT
“The connection between health and the dwelling of the population is one of the most important that exists.” - Florence Nightingale