HGTV and DIY Network Talent Add Expert Advice to Rebuilding Together and HUD National Healthy Homes Conference in Nashville
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2014 - Housing Professionals at this year’s National Healthy Homes Conference, co-hosted by Rebuilding Together and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), can get green building answers and home improvement advice from HGTV and DIY Network stars Chris Lambton, Matt Muenster, and Tiffany Brooks. Held in in Nashville from May 28-30, 2014, the Conference, titled Leading the Nation to Healthy Homes, Families and Communities, will bring together housing and health professionals from the public and private sectors to share new research and emerging trends, as well as to inform housing policy to help prevent and remediate unsafe housing conditions for families.
“We are thrilled that HGTV and DIY Network stars are joining us at the National Healthy Homes Conference,” said Charley Shimanski, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “This is a great opportunity for them to share their expertise on healthy housing as we work with HUD and state, local, and nonprofit professionals from across the country to create a safe and healthy home for every person.”
Attendees can join workshops hosted by Chris, Matt and Tiffany, as well as plenary sessions that dig deeper into healthy housing issues, such as green housing, healthier by design and adaptable housing. In addition, the conference will also focus on home safety, which impacts both the home and well-being of millions of families every day.
"It is clear that unhealthy and unsafe housing has an impact on the health of millions of people in the United States, which is why we must do everything we can to ensure that individuals and families have a healthy place to call home,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “It is our responsibility to come together and figure out ways we can provide quality homes and to lead our nation to healthier homes, families and communities for the future.”
“HGTV and DIY Network, like Rebuilding Together, are committed to helping people live safely and comfortably in their homes by providing practical advice from some of the country’s most respected home and garden experts,” said Cindy McConkey, SVP Corporate Giving & Community Outreach. “As hosts of this year’s HGTV Smart Home, Chris and Tiffany are the perfect guides for conference attendees to learn more about the newest concepts in home design and sustainability. And Matt’s professional prowess on new home technologies will be a great overview for those focused on economical and healthy living.”
Chris Lambton, the professional landscaper who first caught America’s eye on The Bachelorette, brings his expertise to HGTV’s gardening and landscaping series, Going Yard. In each episode, Chris and his wife, The Bachelor alum Peyton Wright, transform neglected backyards into amazing outdoor spaces that are perfect for entertaining and relaxing. Chris has also hosted HGTV Yard Takeover, Rose Parade 2013 and RV 2014and is co-hosting HGTV’s Smart Home 2014 in Nashville with Tiffany Brooks. Born and raised in Dennis, MA, Chris resides on Cape Cod where he and his brother own a family business, E. Lambton Landscaping, and enjoy working with their father.
Licensed contractor Matt Muenster sees every house project, whether he’s ripping apart dated bathrooms using the latest construction technology or completely gutting his own kitchen, as a chance to use his clever ideas to achieve great design while integrating earth-friendly elements. He initially got his feet wet designing restaurants and casinos and even worked on the Angolan Project in Africa. Eventually, Matt’s fervor for design shifted to the residential sector. His professional experience includes high-end interior design, and he gets an adrenaline rush every time he transforms a boring bathroom into a fantastic one on DIY Network’s Blog Cabin or Bath Crashers.
Tiffany Brooks, HGTV Star season eight winner and host of HGTV’s America’s Most Embarrassing Rooms, is a wife and working mom who loves spending time growing her residential interior design business. She first demonstrated her design talent when she was offered the opportunity to stage model homes while working in property management. After one of her model-home designs won an award, she decided to follow her passion for interior design full-time. She describes her design style as "classic with a twist," and enjoys mixing traditional pieces with a little rock 'n' roll. Tiffany is co-hosting HGTV’s Smart Home 2014 in Nashville with Chris Lambton.