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Date: 5/5/2021
CHICOPEE – A lawsuit has been filed against the Chicopee Housing Authority and Executive Director Monica Blazic, alleging a violation of the Fair Housing Act based on disability. The lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts on April 19.
The lawsuit was filed due to a complaint that the Chicopee Housing Authority and Blazic failed to allow a tenant to move to a first floor or elevator accessible unit of housing to accommodate her disability. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the tenant has end stage renal disease and has been unable to receive her daily in-home dialysis due to her living situation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office claimed that the tenant applied for a transfer to a different first floor unit in 2017.
“Since that time, the Chicopee Housing Authority offered 10 vacant apartments, any one of which could have accommodated the tenant, to other individuals,” said acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell in a statement. “Common decency and – thankfully – the Fair Housing Act both require reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. The allegations here deserve attention, and we are happy to provide it.”
The lawsuit is seeking an order to require accommodation for the tenant’s disability, pay the defendant monetary damages and cease discrimination against any tenant based upon disability.
Reminder Publishing reached out to both Mayor John Vieau and Blazic for a statement.
“Mayor Vieau has been advised by our Legal Department that this is pending litigation and no comment can be made at this time,” said Bobbi Mabb, communication and special projects manager for Mayor Vieau’s Office.
A lawyer for Blazic relayed the same message.
“My office represents Chicopee Housing Authority and Ms. Blazic in this matter. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on pending litigation,” said Melina Garland of Hassett and Donnelly, P.C.
Those who have information about discrimination and the Chicopee Housing Authority are being asked to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Unit by calling 617-748-3100 and asking for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist, or emailing usama.victimassistance@doj.gov.