Class-action lawsuit against Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority over vouchers dismissed
A Franklin County judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit against the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority that alleged the agency violated its contract for operating a federal Section 8 housing assistance voucher program.
The lawsuit, filed in August by Highpoint Asset Management LLC, accused the housing authority of violating its contract to administer the federal program, which serves local individuals who make $19,700 or less a year or a family of four that makes $28,100 or less.
CMHA had argued that Highpoint could not make a legal claim against the agency.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Kim Brown agreed and dismissed the case Jan. 13 with prejudice, meaning Highpoint may not refile its lawsuit in the future.
"We are delighted by the court's decision in favor of CMHA," President and CEO Charles Hillman said Tuesday in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our history of successful administration of the housing choice voucher program that helps ensure affordable housing opportunities are available for hard-working families, the elderly, people with disabilities and veterans."
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Meanwhile, a new CMHA analysis shows Section 8 vouchers are at an all-time high in Franklin County, with 13,600 active vouchers in Central Ohio, according to the statement. In 2022, CMHA says it spent 100% of its $115 million in voucher aid from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As a result, CMHA said it will get another $15 million from HUD in 2023 to help meet need.
nshuda@dispatch.com
@NathanielShuda
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Class-action lawsuit against Columbus housing authority dismissed
