Three Miami Women Accused Of Cheating Housing Authority Of Federal Rent Subsidies Close To Winning $60K Lawsuit Settlement

In Miami, Florida, The Miami Herald reports:

• The proposed settlement figure is small -- $60,000 for three women who said they were wrongly denied housing benefits in Miami-Dade County. But the lawsuit that emerged from the fight provides a window into the far-reaching problems that plagued the county's Housing Agency and Section 8 voucher program.

• Last summer, Prudence Jones, Nola Farquharson and Alexandra Coronado filed suit against the county, arguing they were denied rent subsidies through an unfair system that failed to provide applicants' proper notice or the right to a hearing. In denying housing benefits, the county contended Jones lied about undisclosed income, Farquharson had a secret border and Coronado didn't live where she claimed.

• All three denied the allegations -- and all may be vindicated [...] when county commissioners vote on a $60,000 settlement that also calls for extensive training for Miami Dade Housing Authority hearing officers and staff, and more oversight.

For more, see Miami-Dade may pay 3 who were denied rent subsidies (County commissioners are expected to vote Thursday to settle a lawsuit seeking to restore rental benefits to three needy local residents).