Policy Campaigns

Protest by South Delta residents spurs retaliation, new legal action

The protest led by residents of South Delta Regional Housing Authority on March 31 prompted retaliatory action by the housing authority, according to the Mississippi Center for Justice.

“Just two days after the protest, residents received a monthly rent invoice that includes an unsubstantiated charge for a security deposit,” said Beth Orlansky, Mississippi Center for Justice advocacy director. “The deposit is on top of rents that have already more than doubled while the housing authority continues to neglect property repairs. The security deposit violates the terms of residents’ leases and is clearly intended to punish residents for exercising their First Amendment rights during a protest of the living conditions that South Delta imposes.”

South Delta also backed out of a settlement conference scheduled April 6. In a message received from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Greenville Division, the Mississippi Center for Justice was informed that South Delta’s legal counsel said “there is no way at this point his clients are going to settle in light of the picketing and flyers that have been sent.”

On Monday, April 26, the Center and pro bono attorneys Brad Pigott and Daniel Morris filed an amended complaint in the pending federal action that adds the members of the South Delta Board of Commissioners to the federal lawsuit. That action is seeking a remedy to the rents that were more than doubled, without due process and in the wake of extreme maintenance neglect, during 2009.

“It is a shame that South Delta is refusing to come to the table and find a solution that provides safe, livable, affordable housing for these residents,” Orlansky said. “We will continue to pursue a remedy that protects these residents and holds the South Delta board and its executive director accountable for fulfilling the mission of the housing authority.”