CLA reaches settlement in Chicopee housing discrimination case
Community Legal Aid is pleased to announce that a comprehensive settlement has been reached in United States v. Chicopee Housing Authority et al. In the case, CLA represented three individuals who alleged that the Chicopee Housing Authority (CHA) and its former Executive Director engaged in unlawful housing discrimination.
The complaint detailed allegations that the defendants failed to properly recognize and protect the rights of tenants with disabilities, engaged in race and national origin discrimination, and retaliated against an individual who was cooperating with a federal investigation. CLA’s clients received a combined $215,000 for the harm they suffered, litigation costs, and attorneys’ fees.
In addition to the monetary awards to CLA’s clients, the CHA agreed to widespread changes that will impact all of their public housing residents. On October 11, 2024, Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson of the Federal District Court in Springfield approved a Consent Decree that had been reached with the CHA and the U.S. Department of Justice, which had initiated the lawsuit against the CHA for its violations of fair housing laws. Under the terms of the consent decree, the CHA agreed to set up a $435,000 fund to compensate other residents who were harmed by their discriminatory practices.
The housing authority will also update its policies and procedures, hire a new staff person to oversee disability rights, ensure its staff participates in fair housing training, and improve the physical accessibility of several apartments. Additionally, the CHA will pay a $25,000 fine to the federal government, and the former Executive Director Monica Blazic will have no affiliation with the housing authority after December 31, 2024.
Read more: https://lnkd.in/etxQ_hux
