The Fall River Housing Authority (FRHA) is taking steps towards becoming a smoke-free public housing agency. The goals of this initiative are to improve indoor air quality in housing, to benefit the health of residents and staff, and to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires. HUD regulations require housing authorities to go smoke-free, and the FRHA Smoke-Free Policy will prohibit lit tobacco products in all living units, indoor common areas, and administrative office buildings on FRHA property as of October 1, 2017. Residents, guests, employees and visitors wishing to smoke will have to do so outdoors and no less than 25 feet from residential and office buildings. In an effort to get resident input in the development of this policy the Authority has requested both smokers and non-smokers to attend a series of meetings at each development between April 24th and May 3rd, 2017. A recent resident survey resulted in responses from 22.4%, most showing support of the Smoke Free Housing Rule. Click here for a thirteen-minute video of the resident input meeting at the Baressi Heights Development. For more information, contact Kathleen Povar at 508-675-3500.

(Top row) Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) Attorney Chris Banthin and Fall River Housing Authority Administrator Kathleen Povar fielded questions from residents at the Baressi Heights Housing Development. (Row two) Attorney Banthin, Ms. Povar and Western Bristol County Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge listen as residents raise a variety of concerns regarding the proposed no-smoking policy. (Row three) Resident express concerns about establishing a designated smoking area outside of the building. (Bottom row) Residents share a moment of humor during the discussion before others go out to the current designated outdoor smoking area next to the lobby.