1. Non-Regulatory Approaches to Advance Smoke-Free Housing Margaret Reid Boston Public Health Commission 5/29/2014

2. Boston’s Approach Multi-level campaign launched in 2010 ending October 2012 –re-launched in Spring 2014 Mix of incentives, systems changes and awareness building –Promote non-regulatory sfh in Boston multi-family housing across the income spectrum –Target resources to housing for low and moderate income residents –Offer smoking cessation resourcesfor staff and residents

4. Why Voluntary? –2009 Massachusetts survey revealed high tenant demand, low availability and landlord confusion regarding legality –Board of Health was implementing a number of regulatory tobacco policies –Smoke free housing was a new concept, with many misconceptions ‘Regulating low income residents’

5. Build into existing systems –Strong recommendation in all notice of grant awards for affordable housing development –First time home buyer classes –Boston Home Center –Section 8 landlord trainings

6. Technical Assistance and Training To ensure successful transitions –Boston Housing Authority –6 nonprofit community development corporations through competitive process –Section 8 landlords who own small properties through Section 8 administrators

8. Raise Awareness Large public awareness campaign and earned media involving Mayor Targeted to housers Smoke Free Housing Registry and website

9. Facilitators BHA took on highly visible role helped to move forward Boston BRFSS data showing health and health behaviors by housing type Strong leadership by Mayor History of working with housers on environmental health Excellent public insurance cessation benefit and nicotine patch give away.

13. Current Activities Providing training and TA to 7 housers with 4,400 units. Transitioned registry to Boston’s Office of Fair Housing and Equity which maintains rental housing listings. Participating in CDC dissemination plan for smoke free housing video. Potential for smoke-free check box in Boston’s required rental registry.

15. Funding Support DHHS/CDC Communities Putting Prevention to Work, Tobacco Prevention Initiative HUD Healthy Homes Demonstration grant Boston Tobacco Prevention and Control Program