Chicago Public Housing Authority Scraps Controversial Plan to Test Residents for Drugs

On May 13, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) ignited controversy when it announced a proposal to require all residents age 18 and over, including the elderly, who live in or apply for public housing to undergo drug testing. Under the proposal, CHA would have amended its lease and Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy to require the testing. A positive test would have subjected leaseholders to eviction proceedings. CHA claimed it needed more tools, such as the drug test, to help fight crime in its housing developments. But after strong criticism of the proposal during a public comment period, and the American Civil Liberties Union accusing CHA of placing a double standard on the poor, the authority announced on June 22 that it would not move forward with the changes.