California P&A Successfully Challenges Elderly-Only Designations

In Foster v. City of Richmond Housing Authority, et al, the California P&A brought a lawsuit on behalf of a non-elderly individual with a disability who was not allowed to apply for public housing because the housing was only available to persons over age 62. The city had not followed the proper federal procedures for designating the housing elderly-only. The terms of the settlement agreement include placing the plaintiff at the top of the waiting list for senior/disabled housing, providing the plaintiff with the first apartment to become available, opening the senior/disabled waiting list to non-elderly persons with disabilities, training, $8000 in damages, and $46,500 in attorneys fees.