"De-Clutter It, Clean It, Organize It" was a program implemented by request of the Burkesville Housing Authority to address issues related to healthy homes among its residents. Chief complaints of the maintenance staff supervisor that was in charge of quarterly home inspections was the continued presence of cockroaches in homes. These homes were regularly treated for bugs and insects, however continued clutter and lack of cleaning/disinfecting worked against the efforts of the treatments. The Cumberland County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent was contacted by the Housing Authority Director and Maintenance Supervisor. Their concerns were the health and safety of their residents and HUD (U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development) inspection violations. According to HUD.gov, the goal of the program is to "provide safe and affordable rental housing for low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities. HUD gives funding to local Public Housing Agencies, which manage these homes and set rent at affordable rates." 

 Designed to improve living conditions, the program provided residents with hands-on support, education, and supplies to tackle clutter, sanitation, and pest control. Residents were required by Housing Authority Administration to agree to attend three sessions presented by the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent or eviction process would begin. Workshops focused on home hygiene, de-cluttering strategies and organization techniques to meet the needs of homes, and pest management. There was a focus on the impact of clutter and lack of hygiene on stress, depression and anxiety. 15 families signed up for the series and completed the 3 sessions and residents completed homework assignment tasks between sessions. One of the most successful tasks was a de-clutter bingo with residents reporting back the areas of their homes that they had de-cluttered and things they had thrown out and donated. _____ passed the next home inspection and Housing Authority staff shared the following: _______________________