The Building Performance Institute has a new certification aimed at residential structures.

The healthy home evaluator program ensures that contractors are certified to assess that a residence is safe and fit to live in, said institute CEO Larry Zarker.

"BPI has always focused on health and safety issues such as carbon monoxide and natural gas leaks," Zarker said. "Now with the HHE, we are including a deeper look at home issues that could negatively impact the health and safety of America's families."  

The certification was developed with the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, a nonprofit working to ensure homes with children are especially safe. Officials from Children's Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, Missouri, helped develop certification exam questions and curriculum.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said the program will benefit the nation’s children.

“Development of the HHE certification is a tremendous opportunity for BPI-certified professionals to obtain the additional skills needed to expand our stock of healthy housing,” said Peter Ashley, director of the policy and standards division in the office of healthy homes and lead hazard control at HUD. “In doing this, we will work together to create homes that are not only energy efficient, but safe and healthy as well." 

Program details are here.