Fighting Improper Rent Charged By NRHA
LASEV has taken legal action on behalf of a disabled Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) resident, who is facing significant financial and health challenges.
Despite having no income other than food stamps, our client was charged the minimum rent of $50, a fee she is unable to pay. Federal law allows residents who are unable to pay this minimum rent through no fault of their own to request a “hardship exemption”; however, we believe that NRHA has failed to properly inform its residents about this right and has not administered the exemption process as required.
In the fall of 2024, LASEV attorneys filed a federal complaint asserting that NRHA violated federal law by neglecting to provide adequate notice of the hardship exemption to its most vulnerable residents, including our client, who has a pending disability benefits application. Despite NRHA's awareness of our client’s pending disability benefits application – a situation where the law expressly contemplates that a hardship exemption should be immediately provided - NRHA continued to charge our client the minimum rent and even threatened eviction for nonpayment. This lawsuit is currently pending. A copy of the redacted complaint can be accessed here.
While we cannot guarantee legal representation, low-income residents of NRHA-managed or owned housing who are facing similar issues may be eligible for assistance. You can apply for services by calling our Community Support Team at (757) 827-5078
Last updated on .
