Drug Abuse in Housing Authorities

September 23, 2009

ALTON - The recent arrests of two nonresidents at Oakwood Estates public housing complex is prompting the Alton Housing Authority to remind tenants that a strict drug policy applies to both them and their guests.

"All residents are required to sign the Anti-Drug Abuse Act (agreement) prior to moving into an apartment and during their re-certification each year thereafter," said AHA Executive Director Andy Hightower. "The rules governing drugs in public housing are made very clear to all residents during their orientation. During the past five years, 14 residents have lost their apartments because of drug activities."

The act dates to 1988, and gives public housing authorities legal right to evict a tenant if he or she, a household member, guest or other person "under the tenant's control" is involved in or convicted of illegal drug activity on or near public housing. It defines drug-related criminal activity as use, possession, manufacture, sale or otherwise distributing an illegal or controlled substance.

The tenants' obligation list, which is attached to the lease, includes an assurance that the renter, a member of the household or a guest will not engage in: "any criminal activity that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the Authority's public housing premises by other residents or by persons residing in the immediate vicinity of the premises, or any drug-related criminal activity on or off the premises. Any criminal activity in violation of the preceding sentence shall be cause for termination of tenancy, and for eviction from the unit."

Lisa Brown, AHA housing manager and program development director, echoed Hightower's remarks.

"Part of this process is to continue criminal background checks on potential residents," he said. "These background checks include charges for drugs and other criminal activity. Depending on the results of the background check, a person may be denied entry into the housing program."

Following the arrest of two men and subsequent felony charges Aug. 21 of unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, Alton Mayor Tom Hoechst asked AHA officials about the drug policy at the housing units.

After the two men were arrested at Oakwood Estates on Aug. 20, police obtained a search warrant of an apartment at which one of the suspects' girlfriend lives in the 900 block of Oakwood Road.

A summary on the search says police found a "Louis Vuitton male handbag" with a plastic bag inside, out in "in plain view" containing an "off-white, rock-like substance" that police later said tested to contain crack cocaine.

Check out Tenant PI's instant and nationwide criminal background checks.

Linda N. Weller
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/housing-31076-drug-activity.html
www.thetelegraph.com




Subscribe to News RSS Subscribe to Blog RSS	« Back to Blog Drug Abuse in Housing Authorities September 23, 2009 ALTON - The recent arrests of two nonresidents at Oakwood Estates public housing complex is prompting the Alton Housing Authority to remind tenants that a strict drug policy applies to both them and their guests. "All residents are required to sign the Anti-Drug Abuse Act (agreement) prior to moving into an apartment and during their re-certification each year thereafter," said AHA Executive Director Andy Hightower. "The rules governing drugs in public housing are made very clear to all residents during their orientation. During the past five years, 14 residents have lost their apartments because of drug activities." The act dates to 1988, and gives public housing authorities legal right to evict a tenant if he or she, a household member, guest or other person "under the tenant's control" is involved in or convicted of illegal drug activity on or near public housing. It defines drug-related criminal activity as use, possession, manufacture, sale or otherwise distributing an illegal or controlled substance. The tenants' obligation list, which is attached to the lease, includes an assurance that the renter, a member of the household or a guest will not engage in: "any criminal activity that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the Authority's public housing premises by other residents or by persons residing in the immediate vicinity of the premises, or any drug-related criminal activity on or off the premises. Any criminal activity in violation of the preceding sentence shall be cause for termination of tenancy, and for eviction from the unit." Lisa Brown, AHA housing manager and program development director, echoed Hightower's remarks. "Part of this process is to continue criminal background checks on potential residents," he said. "These background checks include charges for drugs and other criminal activity. Depending on the results of the background check, a person may be denied entry into the housing program." Following the arrest of two men and subsequent felony charges Aug. 21 of unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, Alton Mayor Tom Hoechst asked AHA officials about the drug policy at the housing units. After the two men were arrested at Oakwood Estates on Aug. 20, police obtained a search warrant of an apartment at which one of the suspects' girlfriend lives in the 900 block of Oakwood Road. A summary on the search says police found a "Louis Vuitton male handbag" with a plastic bag inside, out in "in plain view" containing an "off-white, rock-like substance" that police later said tested to contain crack cocaine. Check out Tenant PI's instant and nationwide criminal background checks. Linda N. Weller http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/housing-31076-drug-activity.html www.thetelegraph.com	Tenant PI puts credit reports, nationwide criminal background checks and unique landlord history reports just one click away.