Elgin Housing Authority 

"One Strike You're Out"

Public Housing Policy

POLICY:

The Elgin Housing Authority (EHA), in accordance with President Clinton's Executive Order endorses the "One Strike You're Out" Policy which enforces "zero tolerance" for illegal drug use and criminal activities by residents. EHA proclaims that obeying the law and abstaining from illegal criminal and drug activities are conditions upon which residents agree as part of their residency in public housing. Failure to meet these obligations constitutes a violation of the resident's lease with EHA and thus grounds for eviction. Also, residents are to be held responsible for conduct of family members dwelling in their household as well as visitors. Therefore, EHA will seek expeditious eviction of those persons and families involved in criminal and drug activities on the first occurrence. 

GUIDANCE:

Residents need not be convicted in court of the criminal activity in order to be involved of the lease as long as reasonable evidence indicates complicity without violating the civil rights of the resident. In deciding to evict for criminal activity, EHA shall have the discretion to consider all of the circumstances of the case, including the seriousness of the offense, the extent of the participation by family members not involved the proscribed activity. In appropriate cases, EHA may require a family member who has engaged in proscribed activity not to reside in the unit. EHA may require a family member  who has engaged in illegal drug use to present evidence of successful completion of a treatment program as a condition to being allowed to reside in the unit.