Case 4 Smoke Free Housing

8/13/2019 Case 4 Smoke Free Housing

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The Case for Smoke-Free Housing

Smoke-FreeHousing Is

Good forBusiness

Good forHealth


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You Are Not Alone

In Colorado, more than 1000 multiunit residentialcommunities and 25,000+ units have 100% no-smoking policies indoors.

Twenty housing authorities have implemented or arephasing in no-smoking policies in more than 500buildings and 3,900 units

They include: Akron, Aurora, Boulder, Boulder County,Carbondale, Delta, Denver, Eagle County, Estes Park, FortCollins, Grand Junction,Grand County,Holyoke, Lakewood,Littleton, Longmont, Loveland, Rifle, Salida, and Wellington


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AMLI at Inverness

The feedback from prospectiveand current residents has beenoverwhelmingly positive, and they

really appreciate that tobaccosmoke will not enter theirresidences when someonesmokes inside their units or onthe property. Even people whosmoke are renting apartmentshere because they see it as anincentive to quit smoking.

Alicia Persich, Marketing Coordinator

The 309-unit Englewoodcommunity opened July 2008and the policy includes theentire grounds


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Save Money

Reduce the costs of cleaningand repairing carpets,furniture, fixtures, window

treatments, priming andpainting walls, and generalmaintenance

Lower utility bills and

decrease the use of air-treatment systems 30% lessaccording to estimates byMarriott Hotels


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Cleaning a Smoke-Free Unit

Two-bedroom, two-bath apartment estimate

Total Cost $570$420

$100

$50

Labor

Paint

CarpetShampoo

Cost can vary depending on the extent of the damage and the equipment used


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Cleaning a Smoky Unit

Two-bedroom, two-bath apartment estimate

Cost can vary depending on the extent of the damage and the equipment used

Total Cost $4,003BluSky Restoration

$2,425

$875

$560

$503

$493 Labor, light fixtures,kitchen, bath, appliances

Walls and ceilings

Deoderize building andcarpet

Cabinets, countertops,ductwork

Clean, strip, wax floors,doors, windows


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Other Savings & Benefits

Fire risks and fire damage arereduced

Lower insurance premiums may bepossible, negotiate with yourinsurance provider

Improves property values becausethere is less damage caused by

smoking and discarded cigarettes

Maintenance costs even less whenthe policy covers the entire grounds


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Additional Benefits

Spend less time dealingwith smoking-relatedcomplaints

Protect the health ofyour residents andworkers including staff

and maintenance

A free listing atmysmokefreehousing.com
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/mysmokefreehousing.comhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/mysmokefreehousing.com


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The Smoke-Free Advantage

While we have certainly seen some exciting

market opportunities for businesses over the

years, we rarely see such obvious ones.Frankly, if a private property-management

firm had conducted this research, it might be

tempted to keep the findings confidential to

gain an initial competitive advantage.

Campbell DeLong Resources, Inc

Portland, Oregon


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Attract Residents

82% of adults in Colorado donot smoke

85.4% of Colorado householdsreport having no-smoking rules

Surveys conducted throughoutthe US indicate that mostresidents, including low-income

and minority populations, wouldprefer living in a nonsmokingbuilding


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Colorado Residents SupportNo-Smoking Policies

66.3% of Boulder County Housing Authoritys residents in January2008. 285 out of 467 (61%) residents participated.

65% of Lakewoods Eaton Terrace Senior Residences in April 2008.

119 out of 122 (98%) residents participated.

64% of Longmonts Inn Between homeless people and families inSeptember 2008. 39 out of 50 (78%) residents participated.

70.5% of Salidas Mount Shavano Manor residents in September2008. 45 out of 50 (90%) residents participated.

100% of Alamosas Tierra Nueva farmer worker residents in July2009. 20 out of 32 (62%) residents participated.

61.9% of Alamosa Housing Authoritys residents in September 2009.

21 out of 41 (52.5%) residents participated.


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Survey of 2,546 Colorado studentsshows 86%prefer smoke-free living


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Retain Residents

A Minnesota survey showedthat 95% of owners ormanagers who have

prohibited smoking in bothlarge and small apartmentcommunities reported thatthe no-smoking policy eitherincreased occupancy or had

no impact


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Happy Renters Stay Longer

Coloradans are used tosmoke-free workplaces,restaurants, bars, and

public places. Theyexpect clean indoor air intheir dwellings too

Most residents do not

want to continue to sufferthe health consequencesof breathing secondhandsmoke when it drifts intotheir residences


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Resident Concerns

When tobacco smoke infiltrates into peoplesresidences through doors, windows, orventilation systems, the consequences can

be just as intense and harmful as exposureduring a full days work

Many residents feel they should have the

same protection from secondhand smokethat the vast majority of Coloradans enjoy atwork, in bars and restaurants, and in otherpublic places


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A Market Advantage

Those who prefer to

smoke inside their

units are asignificantly smaller

percentage than those

who prefer to live in a

no-smoking residence


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Landlords Who Implement No-Smoking Policies Never Go Back

Not one of the landlords who

prohibits smoking regrets doing

so and none are considering

going back to allowing smokingin any unit where it has been

prohibited. Many said that once

they tried it in one property,

they quickly wanted it in all.Campbell DeLong Resources, Inc

Portland, Oregon


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Smoke-Free Policies Are Legal

The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act of

2006 allows landlords to make any

part of their property nonsmoking andprohibits smoking in all indoor

common areas (CRS 25-14-206)


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Smoke-Free Policies Are Legal

There is no legal or constitutional right to

smoke, and no court has ever recognized

smoking as a protected right

It is not discriminatory or a violation of any

fair-housing regulations.

Thats why no-smoking policies already exist in

bars, restaurants, work sites, and public places


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What About Section 8?

Currently, there are no statutory or regulatory provisions governing

smoking in Section 8 project-based subsidized properties. Owners of

such properties are required to comply with applicable state and local

laws, which would include any laws governing cigarette smoking inresidential units and in common areas.

However, owners may adopt reasonable house rules that are related

to the safety and habitability of the building and comfort of the

residents. It is at the owner's discretion to determine if a smoke-free

policy would be applicable to their property.

Marcie D. LaPorte, Director, Denver Multifamily Hub at HUD


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HUD Recommendation

The U.S. Department of

Housing and Urban

Development strongly

encourages PublicHousing Authorities to

implement no-smoking

policies in some or all of

their public housing units.July 2009


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Protecting the Public Health

The 2006 U.S. SurgeonGeneral Report states that thereis no risk-free level of exposureto secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke causesdisease and nearly 50,000deaths in the U.S. each yearfrom heart disease, lung cancer,and sudden infant death

syndrome (SIDS), among others

Secondhand smoke is a realhealth hazard and not merely anuisance


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The Science is Clear

The scientific evidenceis now indisputable:secondhand smoke isnot a mere annoyance.It is a serious healthhazard that can lead todisease and premature

death in children andnonsmoking adults.

Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, 2006


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It Has More Than 250 Toxic orCancer-Causing Chemicals


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Is Ventilation an Option?

Secondhand smokecannot be controlledusing ventilation orair-cleaning systems

Up to 50% of the airin multiunit housing

may be re-circulatedthroughout an entirebuilding


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ASHRAE on Ventilation

At present, the only means ofeffectively eliminating the healthrisk associated with indoor

exposure is to ban smokingactivity

No cleaning, ventilation orair-cleaning technologies

control health risks fromenvironmental tobacco smokeexposure in spaces wheresmoking occurs

The American Society of

Heating, Refrigerating, and

Air Conditioning Engineers

(ASHRAE) sets the industry

standards for ventilation


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Lower Risk of Fire

A smoke-free building is safer for children,adults, seniors, and pets

Cigarettes cause an average of 5% of allresidential fires in Colorado

In 2006 residential fires caused 39% of all

residential fire fatalities, 7% of residential fireinjuries, and 3% of all residential propertyloss

Colorado State Fire Chiefs Association


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Implementation & Enforcement

Enforcement is not a problem and few ownersexperience backlash from residents afterimplementing a no-smoking policy

Units, December 2007,

National Apartment Association

Implementation and enforcement

experiences vary amongst landlords,

but landlords indicate that once they

try no-smoking in one building theyexpand it to other buildings, and they

never go back to allowing smoking.


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Village at the Buffs

When I initiated the

no-smoking policy, no

residents complained

and no one moved

out. Since then, our

waiting list has

grown. Monica Slamkowski,Community Administrator

The 51-unit Colorado Springs

Section 8 community became

smoke-free in February 2007


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Enforcement Tools

Rental agreements and leaselanguage should clearly statethe policy for the building, units,balconies, and common areas

Signs in and around thebuilding help remind residentsand visitors of the policy

Outdoor designated smokingareas should be clearly markedand 15 to 25 feet away fromany part of the building and allwindows and doors


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Implementation Steps

Educate residents aboutthe dangers ofsecondhand smoke

Make a managementdecision or conduct asurvey to determine thepreferences of the

residents Communicate the policy

through meetings, inperson, and in writing


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Talking Points for Residents

Indoor air quality will be healthier for everybody and protectseveryone from the exposure to secondhand smoke.

Reduced fire risk increases the safety of residents and families.

People who smoke are welcome. They will have to step outsideand away from the building to smoke.

Less building damage may help management keep rental costsstable.

QuitLine smoking cessation assistance and resources areavailable by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or atwww.myquitpath.com.


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Put it in Writing

Adopt lease rules and haveresidents initial them

Communicate the

consequences of policyviolations

Draft good lease language:

Make it clear that residents, householdmembers, or visitors may not smokeinside their units, common areas,balconies, patios, or within 25 feet of

any building on the property.

Consult an attorney forproper language andcompliance with local andstate laws


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Other Implementation Tips

If you plan to grandfather in thepolicy, limit the time to no more than

a year Provide smoking cessation

information and referrals

Talk to other landlords who haveimplemented policies


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For Condominiums

Review the governingdocuments

Educate the homeowners

associations board and make aproposal

A percentage of the ownersmay have to vote and approveany rule changes

Make changes to the governingdocuments and file them withthe appropriate governing body


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Keeping the Air Clear

Use advertising to attract residents who desire

a non-smoking environment

Communicate the policy to prospective

residents

Visit the property and perform inspections

Maintain good signage at all times.


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Free No-Smoking Signs

www.steppitems.com www.gaspforair.org
http://www.steppitems.com/http://www.gaspforair.org/http://www.gaspforair.org/http://www.steppitems.com/


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We Want to be Your Partners

We welcome the

opportunity to assist you

We appreciate and

welcome your expertise,

feedback, insights, and

advice

We look forward to

working with you!


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Colorados Web Resources

Mysmokefreehousing.org Provides resources for landlords, residents, and

housing providers to help implement no-smoking

policies

Mysmokefreehousing.com Provides a list of residential communities in Colorado

that have no-smoking rules inside their buildings.

SmokefreeColorado.org Information about the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act,

free signs, and other materials


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How Can We Help?

Local or state tobacco-prevention programsmay be able to assist property managers with:

Surveys and implementation steps

Sample policies and educational materials

Guidance and assistance

Smoking-cessation resources and information


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Statewide Contacts

For statewide matters and assistance in areas where there areno local health agencies working on smoke-free housing

Cindy LiveranceAmerican Lung Association

303-847-0267 [email protected]

Jill Bednarek, MSWColorado Dept of Public Health and Environment

State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership303-692-2475 [email protected]

Pete BialickGroup to Alleviate Smoking Pollution (GASP of Colorado)

303-444-9799 [email protected]


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We are Happy to Assist You!

LOCAL HEALTH AGENCY

CONTACT INFORMATION

Case 4 Smoke Free Housing

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