Effective May 1, 2018
Smoking of tobacco use will be prohibited in or around all property owned and operated by
The White County Housing Authority.
The Smoke-Free Policy is intended to improve the quality of air and the safety of
residents, guests, and employees.
Implementation of a Smoke-Free Policy is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and must be implemented by July 30, 2018. There are NO exceptions to this policy.
1) No person may use, smoke, hold or carry lighted tobacco in any form, including cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, in or around all White County Housing Authority (WCHA) Public Housing owned properties; all interior common areas including but not limited to community rooms, community bathrooms, lobbies, offices, reception areas, hallways, laundry rooms, stairways. Smoke or tobacco use will also be prohibited within all living units.
2) Residents and employees who smell tobacco smoke from inside WCHA owned property are to report this to the Main Office as soon as possible. WCHA Management staff will try to identify the source of the smoke and take appropriate action.
3) Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) will be allowed in or around all property owned and operated by The White County Housing Authority. Research to date on ENDS is still developing and lacks clear consensus, in contrast with research on the effects of cigarettes and other tobacco products. If evidence in the future arises that banning ENDS will, for example, result in significant maintenance savings, HUD will reconsider including them in items that are prohibited in public housing.
4) Current residents will receive a copy of this Smoke-Free Policy and are required to sign at re- certification for May 1, 2018 lease. New residents who sign new leases effective on or after May 1, 2018 will be given copies of the Smoke-Free Policy and their lease will reflect this policy.
WCHA staff is responsible for fully implementing and enforcing this Smoke-Free Policy, which includes taking steps to insure 100% of the new and current residents are aware of and abide by the Smoke-Free Policy. Failure to abide by this Smoke-Free Policy is considered a lease violation with the following consequences:
1st Violation
Housing Manager will visit the resident and document any evidence (sight or smell) witnessed in the unit;
resident will receive a verbal warning;
subsequent unit inspections will be scheduled to monitor future compliance with this policy.
2nd Violation
Housing Manager will visit the resident and document any evidence (sight or smell) witnessed in the unit;
resident will receive a final lease violation letter advising FINAL NOTICE PRIOR TO TERMINATION;
subsequent unit inspections will be scheduled to monitor future compliance with this policy.
3rd Violation
TERMINATION OF LEASE
WHITE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY
SMOKE-FREE POLICY
