Resident Not Automatically Entitled to Grievance Hearing

Facts: The New York City Housing Authority took action to terminate the tenancy of a resident for being chronically late in paying rent. The resident claimed that the housing authority improperly denied him a grievance hearing to contest its actions to evict him. The housing authority claimed, however, that the resident failed to meet the requirements for filing a grievance and had previously chosen not to attend several other applicable hearings. The resident sued the housing authority in federal district court. The housing authority asked the court to dismiss the case.

Decision: The federal district court sided with the housing authority and dismissed the case.

Reasoning: The housing authority consistently followed correct policy, and the resident did not comply with the procedures necessary for filing a grievance. A resident is not automatically entitled to a grievance hearing, the court ruled.

• Carmen Williams v. New York City Housing Authority, July 2009