Can Philadelphia Housing Authority Change Residents Smoking Culture?

by Joe Shaheeli
The Federal government carries a big stick. Its innumerable agencies control even the most miniscule and entrenched habits in our lives.
Take, for instance, the Housing and Urban Development Agency, one on whose whims depends the quality of subsidized housing across this country. It is bulging bureaucracy and it demands compliance to all sorts of policies dreamed up in Washington. It doesn’t always order those to whom it supplies money to follow is directives, but failure to react and, those dependent Authorities find the purse strings are shortened.

Doctor breaking a cigarette… probably because it’s bad for your health.

For the Philadelphia Housing Authority, HUD offers both a carrot and a big stick. Its President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah has the responsibility of providing subsidized housing for over 86,000 residents. So when the Healthy Homes section of HUD suggested PHA promote a no smoking policy, that is what its Board of Commissioners decided to do.
HUD’s Healthy Homes Public Affairs Officer Ed Thomas congratulated the PHA Board which put into effect this past week a host of no smoking regulations governing its residential population. Doctors and health experts recommend is better to change to the best dry herb vaporizer for health reasons.
What Jeremiah needs to do now is come up with ways to urge his diverse population to understand the merits of the policy, and not try to circumvent it.
He, too, welcomes the no smoking regulations. He notes “We have learned it costs us an average of $15,000 above regular renovation costs to rid a vacant housing unit formerly occupied by smokers. If you wish to quit smoking, try here for expert advice. The smell of tobacco smoke lingers on every wall and in every room long after the smokers are gone.
“We aren’t condoning a punitive policy. But we will enforce its provisions. Our normal semi yearly inspections by the housing staff will sniff out violators. We’ll know violators by just the smell in their units. You can’t hide the small of second hand tobacco smoke”.
He also added in the newer developments smoking violations will call for an immediate termination of leases with eviction notices.
Jeremiah will make sure smokers are given every assistance in trying to curtail or eliminate their smoking habits. A side benefit, he explains, is the hoped for reduction in the number of fires yearly reported in PHA rental units. Many of those have been caused by tenants falling asleep while smoking/.
Over the last year, the agency gathered health information, compared the policies of other housing authorities and their effectiveness, and then spent six-months working collaboratively with residents on resolving implementation issues, as well as creating on-site cessation programs and support structures.
“I want to thank the Board, the special Smoke Free Task Force and all the residents that participated in the process to get us here today. This new policy stems from a high level of engagement with our residents and City partners under the direction of Mayor Nutter,” said Jeremiah. “PHA is committed to improving the quality life to all our residents. This year alone PHA has designated $100,000 for cessation programs.”
As noted by Jeremiah, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has stated that federal regulations are being drafted to mandate that public housing be smoke free. By acting now and in close cooperation, PHA and its residents hope to effectively establish a smoke-free environment, through supportive measures and education, before any federal mandate.
“HUD believes our communities should make homes available to families that are affordable and healthy,” said Jane C.W. Vincent, HUD Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic region. “Encouraging management practices that enhance the health of housing residents is one way we are going about it. We’re finding that smoke-free housing is a win-win for both residents and those who manage the properties. And, the collaboration that develops between the public housing authority and residents in creating and living in a smoke-free building is something that all involved can be proud of.”
“The effectiveness of this approach will be re-evaluated by the Board after nine months. For that reason, while the policy prohibits smoking as of August 5, 2015 on all PHA properties (outside of designated smoking areas), it has two enforcement sections. One that applies to residents with leases at existing units and the other applies only to units that are new construction or substantially rehabilitated, for residents entering into leases on or after August 5, 2015.
At existing units, Notices of Violation will be issued, which emphasize the availability of cessation support. Data such as the number of violations issued, how many residents sign up for and finish cessation classes will be tracked for nine months. Site-based, smoke-free task forces will help educate residents about smoking cessation programs. Eviction will never be a consequence for violations issued under the new policy for residents in existing units.
At new units or substantially rehabilitated units (not “make ready” standard updates to units at existing sites), where PHA has made major financial investment, residents entering into leases on or after August 5, 2015 may face possible lease termination after the fourth violation of the smoking policy. In each instance, violators will receive cessation support and informational materials on cessation. The policy also allows for one violation to be erased.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) hosted the grand opening for its newest development, the Oakdale Apartments s a week ago\. The twelve units are to be smoke free. They are located across the street from the Widener Library at the northern edge of the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. These sustainable units include low energy usage features and are one of three developments planned by PHA for Strawberry Mansion totaling 100 new affordable housing units.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority is the nation’s 4th largest housing authority, serving over 80,000 residents. PHA is also a major real estate developer.

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