Public Housing in the USA to ban smoking

[brschoppe]

Add one more to the list of places you cannot smoke in the United States. However, I highly doubt there is a large group of people smoking Habanos in public housing (however, nothing surprises me today). It looks like HUD is going to ban smoking in public housing. I am interested to see how that plan on enforcing that in some of the projects around this city (Chicago)....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/11/12/hud-proposes-smoking-ban-in-public-housing-citing-dangers-of-secondhand-smoke/

[LordAnubis]

Interesting... i'm surprised to hear speaking with Paul3 recently how limiting the smoking laws in the states are! I thought i was pretty much a free for all smoking in a lounge... i guess not!!!

As for a rule on not smoking in public housing, i would think that's quite reasonable, some rental agreements here in Aus have no smoking in the house as a clause, or no pets etc. To ban it in outdoor areas near the housing on the other hand... that's pretty rough!

[skalls]

There's no indoor smoking in north Dakota business. None. Have to be 25 feet away from any exit or entrance to a business.

Minnesota does allow for cigar bars but it's really up to local municipalities to make that decision.

[stogieluver]

I think I hear gunfire.

I predict this will be THE most unenforced smoking ban anywhere. Good luck, Feds. Hope you go into these projects with plenty of fire power.

[NSXCIGAR]

I'm glad after remarkably transforming the projects into residential paradises and the pinnacles of safety and community values the government can finally eliminate that last little issue of smoking and realize it's ultimate vision for the projects to become a virtual garden of eden and the envy of the rest of the world. (Mic drop)

Oh wait...

[Habana Mike]

Add one more to the list of places you cannot smoke in the United States. However, I highly doubt there is a large group of people smoking Habanos in public housing (however, nothing surprise me today). It looks like HUD is going to ban smoking in public housing. I am interested to see how that plan on enforcing that in some of the projects around this city (Chicago)....

Don't be surpised! Just heard this:

"Some families living in public housing made more than $100,000 and the government does not plan to ask them to move out.

One family made $137,000 and paid $786 a month in rent for the family of four to live in a two bedroom place in public housing. Another family of two made $130,000 and paid $554 a month."

"That's because according to the federal housing program, people only have to meet the income qualifications when they sign up. Once on the program, families are on the program indefinitely."

Sounds like a few could afford a fine Habanos from time to time! Guess they just won't be able to smoke them at home anymore

[NSXCIGAR]

Don't be surpised! Just heard this:

"Some families living in public housing made more than $100,000 and the government does not plan to ask them to move out.

One family made $137,000 and paid $786 a month in rent for the family of four to live in a two bedroom place in public housing. Another family of two made $130,000 and paid $554 a month."

"That's because according to the federal housing program, people only have to meet the income qualifications when they sign up. Once on the program, families are on the program indefinitely."

Sounds like a few could afford a fine Habanos from time to time! Guess they just won't be able to smoke them at home anymore

Yes, I heard about this. Getting a lot of press lately. Once you're in, you're in for life. Income is only evaluated once upon application. This is a big problem in high-cost areas like New York City.

Here's HUD's justification:

The Authority believes that allowing over-income families to reside in public housing is beneficial because it shows that participation in the public housing program can help families achieve a more stable life and the average rent paid by over-income families is greater than that paid by other low income families.

Personally, I don't think there's any government program that perpetuates the notion of economic determinism more than public housing and rent control.