Chicago Housing Authority wants to drug test residents 18 and over, senior citizens too

CHA residents are furious after learning they may be required to take a drug test to keep their taxpayer-funded homes.

Under the proposed plan, current residents and anyone applying for housing in a CHA development, will have to prove they are drug-free.

The new rules would apply to anyone over the age of 18, including elderly tenants.

CHA also plans to eliminate the "innocent tenant defense".

Chicago Sun-Times:

"Also controversial is a proposed elimination of the so-called “innocent tenant defense,” referring to evictions initiated when a drug-related or violent crime has been committed by a relative or guest of the lease-holding tenant — but the tenant was not involved nor had knowledge of the crime. In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled housing authorities may evict under such “innocent tenant” circumstances, so CHA would be within its rights."

Click here to read the entire Sun-Times article.