BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

Residents of several public housing developments have filed suit against the Tampa Housing Authority and its CEO/President, Jerome Ryans, City of Tampa and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Tampa Division. The case was filed on Friday, November 4, 2011. Judge Richard Lazzara will hear the case.

The civil suit, filed through the Law Office Of Kaydell Wright-Douglas, Esquire, states that residents in Central Park Village (currently being redeveloped), Ponce de Leon (now known as Belmont Heights Estates), College Hill Homes (also known as Belmont Heights Estates) and Riverview Terrace (currently known as The Oaks of Riverview) did not receive their utility allowances as stipulated by HUD. The suit covers a period from 1999 to 2007.

With the assistance of community activist, Michelle Williams, the residents filed the suit. She contends that the residents did not receive their utility allowance. She has been working with the plaintiffs since 2009. The plaintiffs are asking for $65,000 money damages, costs of attorneys’ fees and utility reimbursement.

Persons listed as plaintiffs are: Annie Bright, Patricia Brown, Brenda L. Catuy, Maryse Codeio, Bernestine Cotton, Doniquisha Donaldson, Wanda L. Anderson-Gilchrist, Carol A. Harley, Hannah Williams-Johnson, Ruby Scott, Mattie Shine and Ruby Williams. This group represents a class of 1,892 tenants and their families.

Lillian Stringer, spokesperson for the Tampa Housing Authority, said the agency has not been officially served or notified about a suit, therefore she could not comment.

The plaintiffs are asking for a jury trial.