Glendora Homeless Woman’s Case in Limbo

Sharon Green’s may be short-lived as a legal maneuvering can keep her case in limbo for up to two years.

Last month, the city filed a letter with the Supreme Court to depublish the ruling, which could delay the case for up to two more years.

The 70-year-old Green, who has been homeless, and at one point lived in a tent, claimed she was evicted from her rental subsidy at Apartment, a joint enterprise with the city, without just cause.

In April, the Second District Court of Appeals sided with Green, and ruled her eviction illegal.

Following her victory, Green said she was eager to return to her apartment at Heritage Oaks, but the city's recent legal maneuver keeps Green’s case at a standstill.

Green, who up until recently had been living in a motel, called the city’s request to depublish the ruling an attempt to put an end to a precedent she said was established with her April court victory.

“They wanted the case depublished so it will not set a precedent nationwide,” said Green. “You cannot evict people receiving subsidies for no reason. That is what my case did. It set a precedent. To get it depublished, no more precedent.

“What I want to know is why is the city of Glendora paying a lawyer to get this done?” Green said.

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the letter to the Supreme Court filed by the city questions not the Appellate Court’s ruling in favor of Green, but the ambiguous role of the city as successor agency in Green’s case since the dissolution of the city’s redevelopment agency.  The letter also pointed to the city’s earlier defense that the city was not involved in Green’s eviction, reports the Tribune.

A request to depublish the ruling brings the case back to the Supreme Court to consider. The court will decide Aug. 21 whether to honor the city’s request, dismiss the request or reopen the case.

With future housing uncertain, Green said she will still continue to hold the city responsible.

“They could drag it out, but I’m in it for the long haul,” she said.