Oregon Public Broadcasting

I sure hope they build apartments with great ventilation, plenty of windows and doors, and plenty of insulation in the ceilings and walls. Why? Because I was told today by my apartment manager that despite our numerous fans/air conditioners, windows open, going outside a lot, she had too many complaints from one neighbor (the one above us who makes a lot of noise); so we're being told to move out because my husband smokes too much. Last week he went outside to smoke and the upstairs neighbor yelled and cursed at him until he went back inside our home. The manager asked if he had tried to quit. We said yes, but due to medicine reactions, patch problems (medicare ins. doesn't cover it), and other health issues, he has failed in the last year at least 4 times. Personally, I felt awkward discussing these issues with her as I felt it was none of her affair. We're on Housing, yet our worker said she doesn't get involved in the legal issues. We're both on SSDI and can't afford to move to another place due to our finances. So please, make sure this doesn't happen to another disabled person. It's been proven that the majority of US smokers are disabled. A new place that would accept us with the aforementioned amenities would help reduce stress, could facilitate a friendlier neighborhood, and foster a more tolerant environment towards people who smoke. I don't think it's much to ask that people who are disabled, low-income abilities, and are smokers be treated fairly when it comes to housing. Why are apartments that take Section 8 allowed to discriminate against smokers? So again, I beg the builders of these new stimulus monies apartments that you do something to allow smokers a place to live if they're poor.

— Posted by kittybooboo