DC Attorney General Karl Racine sues city housing authority, again

Past drop, Neil Albert, the chair of the DCHA’s governing board, stepped down amid thoughts around conflicts of desire, such as his vote for a resolution that bundled his partner’s enterprise among architectural companies experienced to obtain millions of bucks in contracts. A few days later on, the D.C. Council’s housing committee called for an investigation by the Office of the Inspector Common into “a troubling pattern” of unethical and “potentially criminal” habits at the agency. That investigation is ongoing.

DCHA board chair measures down amid inquiries over conflicts of curiosity

In 2020, Racine’s business office sued the authority more than allegations it experienced failed to deal with drug- and firearm-connected nuisances at 10 qualities, an action that compelled the company to make security upgrades to those people attributes.

In Thursday’s suit, which seeks unspecified damages, Racine’s place of work alleges that the authority compelled a lot more than 250 disabled tenants to wait many years for realistic accommodations soon after they proved it was essential.

In one particular circumstance, a tenant who experienced asked for a wheelchair-obtainable unit in 2017 experienced to count on others to carry her to and from her fourth-floor apartment so she could make her medical appointments, the accommodate alleges. The lady died previous 12 months, however waiting for her new unit, the criticism suggests.

In a further scenario, a tenant who was bedridden and immobile requested a two-bed room unit so her daughter could provide as an overnight caretaker. However that ask for was approved a calendar year back, it has yet to be fulfilled, the accommodate suggests, forcing the woman’s daughter to install a digicam in the property to check her mother although she sleeps.

D.C. improvement has soared below Bowser. So have housing expenses.

“This criticism can make apparent that DCHA has continuously failed to fulfill its lawful obligation to accommodate District people who have actual physical disabilities with housing models that are harmless and accessible,” Racine reported in a statement.

DCHA spokeswoman Sheila Lewis declined to comment Thursday, saying the authority experienced not nonetheless reviewed the grievance.

“After trying to get to persuade DCHA to handle these basic safety and good quality of daily life concerns, we had no decision but to file this case to assure that the disabled tenants acquire the accommodations that the legislation requires,” Racine’s assertion explained.