Key Points: Many residents of subsidized multi-unit housing are exposed to drifting secondhand tobacco smoke. These residents are the least able to move to other housing and most likely to have chronic health conditions exacerbated by SHS exposure. Subsidized housing providers are often unwilling to consider taking actions to reduce this exposure.

Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the different kinds of subsidized housing; be able to identify several strategies to approach the issue of smoke-free housing; and be able to assess the pros and cons of each strategy.

Three presenters, representing a public health department, a health voluntary organization, and a secondhand smoke activist organization, will illustrate a variety of strategies they have used to approach subsidized housing providers and government officials to advocate for policies to increase secondhand smoke protections in subsidized housing. The communities where these strategies have taken place have ranged from small cities (25,000), mid-sized cities (100,000-400,000) to a city with a population of 4 million. The presenters will provide opportunities for the audience to experience the challenges in dealing with concerns raised by subsidized housing providers and policy makers.

Benefits: Improved health outcomes for low income families and individuals who live in subsidized housing.