DOJ Sues Bridgeport Housing Authority

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit against the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) for allegations of disccriminating against persons with disabilities. The DOJ announced Wednesday that it was suing the HACB, doing business as Park City Communities, under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Housing Act.

The DOJ alleges HACB failed to process, decide and fulfill requests for accommodations for tenants with disabilities over at least two years. It also alleges HACB failed to provide a sufficient number of public housing units accessible to disabled residents.

“Tenants with disabilities deserve the same opportunity to use and enjoy their homes as everyone else,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John M. Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in a statement. “This lawsuit seeks to ensure that HACB provides reasonable accommodations and accessible housing as required by federal law.”

A compliance review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allegedly found the HACB had committed the violation and issued a determination of noncompliance and attempting resolution. The case was then referred to the Justice Department.

The suit seeks monetary damages, HACB remedying past discrimination and a civil penalty.

“The complaint alleges that HACB ignored requests for reasonable accommodation from tenants with disabilities, failed to adequately communicate with tenants with disabilities, and failed to provide a sufficient number of accessible housing units,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham in a statement. “The government filed this complaint after multiple unsuccessful attempts to resolve this matter with HACB. Individuals with disabilities deserve public housing administrators that make life easier for them, not more difficult.”