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LOUISIANA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Property manager alleges housing authority withheld payment

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An Orleans Parish woman has sued a municipality and its representatives in a contract dispute.

Lynette Matthew filed a lawsuit May 27 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) and its executive director, Arthur Waller, and Colisha Bulter and Simone Moore, both in their official capacity with the authority, citing contract violation in a dispute that began in September 2013.


According to the suit, HANO receives federal financial assistance for public housing using a voucher program, and Matthew contracted with HANO to provide housing to tenants under the voucher program. The suit says on Sept. 1, 2013, Matthew entered into an agreement with a tenant for a unit on Dinkins Street in New Orleans.

The complaint states when the tenant continued occupancy past the lease expiration, HANO continued to provide the rent, resulting in what HANO called an overpayment to the plaintiff. HANO subsequently informed Matthew, who manages several properties, that the rental fund income would be withheld from her in the amount of $5,100 until the debt was paid off, the suit says.

Matthew alleges: she requested a hearing to address the issue but was denied; she was not notified of any changes; is entitled to housing assistance payment from HANO along with funds to cover previous unit damage; and is suffering economic losses.

The complaint states HANO is in breach of contract and in violation of the 7th and 14th Amendments.

Matthew seeks: compensatory, punitive and liquidating damages; attorney fees; expenses; and court costs, Matthew is self-represented.

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana case number: 2:15-cv-01770-SSV-KWR.

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