riversedge
The Housing Authority of Covington’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday ban smoking from inside any of the buildings it manages, including residences. 
 
The board adopted its Agency Plan for 2014 which included a smoke-free housing policy. That policy will go into effect on July 1 and states that, “smoking is not permitted anywhere inside any Housing Authority owned or managed building”.
 
“Our vote tonight implementing the Take It Outside campaign is a decision that was not taken lightly and is the result of over two years of research, surveys, and community meetings,” said Vice Chair Michelle Sherrill.
 
In September 2011, the Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution which noted the dangers and negative health impacts of smoking and second-hand smoke and made a pledge to educate and protect tenants from the health and safety risks.
 
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has endorsed smoke-free housing and the Smoke Free Environmental Law Project lists 230 Housing Authorities in 27 states with smoke-free policies.
 
Since adopting the resolution in 2011, HAC has worked with the Northern Kentucky Health Department to survey and educate residents and to test for the presence of second-hand smoke in and around units, which include City Heights, Latonia Terrace, the Golden Tower, and soon, River’s Edge at Eastside Point (pictured above). 
 
A survey conducted door-to-door in November 2011 indicated that 88% of HAC residents smoke, 38% are interested in quitting, 89% recognize that second-hand smoke is harmful, and 57% would support a “Take It Outside” initiative.
 
The survey was followed by nicotine testing conducted in April 2012 in cooperation with John Hopkins University. The testing found detectable levels of nicotine in the air in all buildings, workspaces, common areas and, in every type of dwelling, even those occupied by non-smokers.
 
Data was also collected by HAC’s maintenance department which indicated that when a smoker moves out of a unit, the cost to prepare that unit for the next tenant is significantly higher than non-smoking units. The higher costs range from $755 for a one-bedroom unit up to $1,199 for a four-bedroom unit, according to details released by HAC.
 
“Given the preponderance of the data, now is the right time to make this change for the benefit our all our residents and employees,” said Diana Strauss-Caston, Deputy 
Director-Operations at HAC.
 
Vice Chair Sherrill is a resident at City Heights and also a smoker. “I am a smoker and I agree with this policy since it will keep my family healthy and our environment cleaner,” she said.
 
HAC’s Board of Commissioners is appointed by the Covington City Commission upon recommendation by the mayor. Covington Mayor Sherry Carran sits on the board with Sherrill, Glenn Kukla, Jennifer Allen, and Daniel Streicher who was appointed to the board at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting and replaced outgoing Chairperson Rita Dreyer.
 
-Staff report
 
Photo: River’s Edge at Eastside Pointe under construction/RCN file
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