Supreme Court Roundup; Justices Uphold Right To Sue By Public Housing Tenants
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The Supreme Court ruled today that tenants in federally subsidized, low-income housing projects are entitled to a Federal court hearing on purported violations of their rights under Federal housing law. The Supreme Court ruled today that tenants in federally subsidized, low-income housing projects are entitled to a Federal court hearing on purported violations of their rights under Federal housing law. In a 5-to-4 vote, the Court held that the approximately three million tenants in such projects do not have to depend on the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to enforce their rights against local public housing authorities. In the case, the Court allowed a suit against the Redevelopment and Housing Authority in Roanoke, Va., by a group of low-income tenants who said they had been charged an unreasonable amount for electricity in addition to their rent. The case showed the deep split on the Court over whether beneficiaries of Federal programs should have access to Federal courts to enforce vaguely worded statutes or regulations when it is not clear whether Congress intended to authorize such private suits. Previous Decisions Extended The majority opinion, written by Associate Justice Byron R. White, extended previous decisions that have allowed persons to use a broadly worded 1871 civil rights law to sue state and local officials for violating their rights under Federal statutes. More : query.nytimes.com |