Program of the Association for Nonsmokers—Minnesota

Live Smoke Free Program Program of the Association for Nonsmokers—Minnesota Two-year grant from the Minnesota Department of Health and previous funding from ACS Geographic area: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties Goal: Increase the number of smoke-free policies in apartments or other multi-housing buildings. –Educate owners –Educate local policy makers –Educate and empower tenants –Promote smoke-free apartment buildings

Program Staff Brittany McFadden Program Director Carissa Duke Community Outreach Coordinator Warren Ortland Consulting Attorney Tobacco Law Center

Why smoke-free apartments? 29% of housing units in the seven-county metro area are renter-occupied. -- U.S. Census, Of these rental units, 67,254 units have families with children -- U.S. Census, 2000 Proportion of new housing units that are in multi-unit buildings has increased steadily over past 10 years. --Met Council People living in multi-housing are disproportionately poor, have very young children, are ethnic minorities, or are elderly. --Less powerful and least likely to demand change --Less able to move into a single family home with safer air As more public places become smoke free, renters will desire that their own living space be so as well

Renter Assistance Phone consultations with renters Track info in database Referrals to Tobacco Law Center Legal assistance and mediation

Landlord/Manager Assistance Educational presentations to landlords and building managers Phone consultations with landlords Model Smoke-Free Lease Addendum Assistance with policy implementation Strategies for transitioning to SF Signs and window clings

Contact Database

The Big Picture: What MN needed to get started 1. Sustainable funding! ANSR has worked on this issue for 10 years Small grants from ACS First major funding: Jan from MN Dept. of Health 2. Full-time staff Allows you to do more than just respond to tenant inquiries Accomplished more in 10 months than the past 10 years combined 3. Contract with an attorney Provides credibility Opens doors to new partners Provides legal research and advice

What MN is doing to make SF housing the norm 1. Built a new website Info for tenants, landlords, and community organizations 2. Maintaining an online SF apartments listing Currently has 109 smoke-free buildings listed Promoting this as free advertising for landlords 3. Utilizing existing research Center for Energy and Environment coordinated project 2001 survey of MN tenants on SHS in apartments 2001 survey of MN landlords on SHS in apartments 2002 MN legal research/lease addendum on SF apartments 2004 air transfer in multi-unit buildings research

Live Smoke Free’s Website

What MN is doing to make SF housing the norm 4. Planning for new research 2007 focus groups with landlords 2008 surveys of tenants and landlords Proposed add’l research on SHS transfer in multi-unit housing Proposed legal research on owner-occupied units 5. Developing relationships with housing organizations Presentations, booths, articles with MN Multi-Housing Assn. and MN Chapter of the Nat’l Assn. of Housing and Redevelopment Officials August 2007 letter from Minneapolis HUD Field Office stating HUD-funded buildings can be smoke free Presenting information to local crime-free housing groups and landlord groups

What MN is doing to make SF housing the norm 6. Developing relationships with legal assistance groups Created a directory of legal services for tenants or landlords seeking direct legal representation 7. Educating community health advocates on the issue WIC nurses, human services providers, and others have regular contact with tenants, but most don’t know how to help tenants suffering from SHS exposure 8. Creating materials with “corporate” appeal Most landlords are in the business to make money; they need to be approached as such Developed guidebook for landlords on SF policies (Oct. 2007) Created two tabletop displays Created plenty of freebie trinkets!

Suggestions for Advocates Take time to understand multi-housing –Market rate (owners usually have many buildings) –Affordable/Section 8 –Seniors-only buildings –Colleges/universities –Condominiums and townhouses Learn local housing laws, and what can be done as a public policy issue –Local housing authorities –Funders of affordable housing

Find allies –Tenants’ groups –Multi-housing associations –Fire chiefs/public safety officials –University health services –Seniors organizations (AARP, etc.) –Insurance companies? Educate legal assistance services –Legal aid –Mediation centers Be prepared for emotional stories! Suggestions for Advocates

Live Smoke Free Resources Model Smoke-Free Lease Addendum Guide for Landlords on how to adopt a smoke-free policy Online directory of smoke-free apartment buildings –Free advertising –Posted indefinitely