Tenants’ Fair Housing Complaint Aimed at Stopping Plans in Cincinnati to Convert Low-Income Apartments into Upscale Hotel is Dismissed by HUD for Lack of Jurisdiction
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Author: Lisa Bernard-Kuhn
Source: “Metropole Housing Complaint Rejected,” Cincinnati Enquirer
Date: March 3, 2010
The Cincinnati Enquirer states: “A fair housing complaint aimed at stopping plans to convert the Metropole low-income apartments into an upscale hotel has been dismissed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The complaint - filed by the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio on behalf of a group of Metropole tenants - was rejected because it lacked jurisdiction under fair housing laws, said James Cunningham, field office director for HUD's Cincinnati office. It was the second time HUD has rejected a complaint in the matter. . . . So far, [Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.’s] relocation team has helped 48 residents find new homes. Under federal guidelines, the remaining 150 residents have until November to move. Legal Aid said it was surprised by the news on Tuesday [March 2nd], adding that a formal notice had yet to arrive from HUD. ‘The tenants still believe this is an attempt to move African-American, disabled seniors and other low income persons from the central business district,’ Legal Aid lawyer Rickell Howard said. ‘The tenants still have legal options, but without having seen this mysterious notice, I can't advise my clients on how to proceed. We are hopeful that we can resolve this without litigation.’”