In November of 2016, the opportunity for public housing residents to enjoy smoke-free protections became a reality when the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), proposed a landmark rule that aimed to provide smoke-free protections for families residing in public housing developments. The proposed rule required the nation’s more than 3,100 public housing agencies (PHAs) to implement a policy prohibiting lit tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars or pipes) in all living units, indoor common areas, administrative offices and all outdoor areas within 25 feet of housing and administrative office buildings. On February 3, 2017, the Smoke-Free Public Housing Rule was passed requiring all HUD funded PHAs to fully implement a smoke-free policy by July 30, 2018. This means that by August 2018, more than 400,000 New Yorkers who depend on public housing from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest PHA in the nation will receive protection from harmful secondhand smoke pollution in their homes.
For more information on “Smoke-Free NYCHA” visit their webpage.