United States v. Chicopee Housing Authority (D. Mass.)

On October 11, 2024, the court entered a consent order in United States v. Chicopee Housing Authority and Monica Blazic (D. Mass.). The amended complaint, which was filed on December 21, 2021, alleges that the defendants discriminated against Housing Authority residents based on race, national origin, and disability in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Specifically, the amended complaint alleges that, since at least 2013, defendant Blazic, Executive Director of the Housing Authority, made discriminatory statements to and about Black and Hispanic tenants, including using racial slurs to describe current and potential residents, indicating a preference against having Black and Hispanic residents and demanding that Spanish-speaking residents speak English, which intimidated and threatened Black and Hispanic tenants. The amended complaint also alleges that residents with disabilities who requested reasonable accommodations, such as transfers to first-floor or elevator-accessible units, have waited for years, even though the Housing Authority could have accommodated them, in violation of the FHA.  The consent order requires the Housing Authority to pay $435,000 to compensate individuals harmed by its discriminatory practices and a $25,000 civil penalty to the United States. The settlement also requires the Housing Authority to make broad changes to protect the rights of tenants with disabilities, including hiring a Disability Rights Coordinator, implementing new policies for handling tenant requests for reasonable accommodations and transfers, and building nine new accessible housing units for persons with disabilities. The Consent Order also bars future discrimination and requires the Housing Authority to implement new discrimination complaint procedures and employee training.  Pursuant to the Consent Order, the Housing Authority’s Director, Monica Blazic, will resign from her role at CHA by the end of 2024 and will not have further involvement with the Housing Authority.  The case was originally referred to the Department of Justice after the Department of Housing and Urban Development received a complaint of disability discrimination, conducted an investigation, and issued a charge of discrimination.

Press Release (10/15/2024)
Press Release (12/21/21)
Press Release (4/19/21)