PUBLIC HOUSING

Public housing authorities have failed to use common sense in exercising their discretion to evict under federal housing law. Among the innocent tenants who have been ousted are disabled seniors who knew nothing about the alleged criminal activity and victims of domestic violence who the system failed to protect. These vulnerable persons lose their homes as well as their housing assistance, effectively rendering them homeless in communities where affordable housing is scarce.

As the law presently stands, a tenant reporting drug activity by a guest and a woman reporting abuse by her spouse could face eviction

http://www.aclu.org/rightsofthepoor/housing/13421leg20020617.html