The Norwalk Housing Authority has approved a truancy clause that will allow it to evict residents if their children accumulate 10 unexcused absences from school.

Officials are hoping the clause will help close the achievement gap in Norwalk schools. According to the Housing Authority, there is a 10-step process that parents would have to go through before eviction is a possibility. They say it would be very difficult to get that far without first getting help. Attorney Ross Chinitz says similar programs are running in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Kansas City, Missouri. Officials say these programs have never had to evict anyone.

The new rule will take effect when school starts in September and will apply to children in kindergarten through third grade.