Fair Housing Complaint Against Homeless Shelter Dismissed
LVT Number: #20993
A homeless veteran sued the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in federal court. He claimed that the VA wasn't properly providing temporary housing programs and services to homeless veterans. He claimed that this violated the federal Fair Housing Act and 42 USC Section 1983. The court ruled against the veteran. His complaint didn't indicate that the VA discriminated against him or deprived him of civil rights under Section 1983 or the Fair Housing Act. And while he also claimed that he was assaulted by security personnel at a Salvation Army shelter, this claim was an improper federal claim. The Salvation Army was a private organization. Even if the shelter's staff were under contract with the City of New York, they weren't acting for the government for purposes of Section 1983.
Reaves v. Department of Veterans Affairs: NYLJ, 1/12/09, p. 24, col. 3 (E.D.N.Y.; Dearie, J)