The authority board adopted a sort of "three strikes" policy Wednesday for residents who make a habit of paying back rent only after eviction proceedings have started.

When the authority files for eviction of a tenant with the local district justice office, the tenant has the right to ask for a hearing, and legal proceedings take some time.

The tenant eventually is given a final date to pay their rent before they are officially evicted.

"They know they can go to the last day to pay their rent, and we start all over again," said accountant Connie Moroco.

Under the new policy, the authority will go through only three eviction proceedings against a tenant within a year. On the third suit has been filed, the authority will not accept payment, and will instead proceed with eviction, said Executive Director L. DeWitt Boosel.

"We're willing to work with residents on situations, but at some point enough is enough," he said.

The eviction proceedings take up a lot of staff time, Boosel said.

Even though the authority could legally accept payment on the third eviction proceeding and still continue with eviction -- a late rent payment is a lease violation -- it will not want to do that, he said.

"I don't want to mislead somebody that, if they go through all that, they have an apartment," Boosel said.