St. Cloud HRA To Ban Smoking In Rental Units Starting Tuesday [AUDIO]

ST. CLOUD - Starting tomorrow (Tuesday) the St. Cloud HRA will have a no smoking policy through out all of their rental buildings.

Louise Reis is the Executive Director of the St. Cloud HRA.  She says they have 720 rental units in 16 buildings.  They also rent out 40 single family homes.

Reis says the board made the decision back in March, with informational sessions held since then, leading up to tomorrow's new policy.

Reise says they've had mixed reviews from their residents so far.

The St. Cloud HRA provides rental assistance and subsidized housing to low income residents.

Reis says the decision to go totally smoke free was recommended by the Department of HUD.  She says it will be cheaper for them to clean the apartments, when they turn them over to new tenants. Designated smoking areas have been set-up outside of each building.