Case: Todd v. Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri

4:84-cv-00852 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Filed Date: Aug. 3, 1984

Closed Date: 1988

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Because this case predates PACER, we had access to a limited number of documents to write this case summary.On August 3, 1984, applicants for public housing who had been or would be denied filed this class action in the Western District of Missouri. The plaintiffs sued the Housing Authority of Kansas City and its Executive Director under 42 U.S.C § 1983. Per Carolyn Hoecker Luedtke’s Missouri Law Review article, the plaintiffs alleged that the Housing Authority failed to provide proper due proc…

Because this case predates PACER, we had access to a limited number of documents to write this case summary.

On August 3, 1984, applicants for public housing who had been or would be denied filed this class action in the Western District of Missouri. The plaintiffs sued the Housing Authority of Kansas City and its Executive Director under 42 U.S.C § 1983. Per Carolyn Hoecker Luedtke’s Missouri Law Review article, the plaintiffs alleged that the Housing Authority failed to provide proper due process hearings and notices to public housing applicants who were denied assistance. The plaintiffs were represented by Legal Aid of Western Missouri and they were granted class certification to represent all applicants for public housing operated by the Housing Authority of Kansas City. The case was adjudicated by District Judge Dean Whipple.

In October 1988, the two parties entered into a consent decree in which the Housing Authority promised to improve its administrative procedures for determining the ineligibility of applicants for public housing. Specifically, the consent decree outlined the rights ineligible applicants can use in a hearing to present any mitigating or extenuating circumstances that resulted in the ineligible determination. The consent decree also allowed applicants owing money to the Housing Authority to enter into a payment plan to pay off their debt in monthly installments that would not cause financial instability to the applicant. Finally, Legal Aid of Western Missouri retained the right to inspect the applications of ineligible applicants every two months. In addition to the consent decree, the plaintiffs were awarded attorney fees. The case is closed.

Summary Authors

Justin Hill (10/23/2019)

People

Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Finn, Kelly P. (Missouri)

Levin, Julie E. (Missouri)

Lombardi, Gregg F. (Missouri)

McHenry, Samuel I. (Missouri)

Attorney for Defendant

Daniels, James F.B. (Missouri)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

4:84-cv-00852

Docket [PACER]

Todd v. Housing Authority of Kansas City

Nov. 29, 1999

Nov. 29, 1999

Docket

4:84-cv-00852

Amended Consent Decree

Oct. 24, 1988

Oct. 24, 1988

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 25, 2025, 8:10 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
5 Aug. 3, 1984

MOTION AND ORDER granting IFP (Court Employee) (Entered: 06/16/1994)

PACER
39 Dec. 14, 1984

CONSENT JUDGMENT terminating case [this doc # & previous docket entries are on a hard docket sheet] (Court Employee) (Entered: 06/16/1994)

PACER
42 April 29, 1994

MOTION by interim receiver of defendant −Housing Authority to/for divisional transfer case & consolidation pursuant to 28 USC 1404(a) & FRCP 42(a) (Court Employee) (Entered: 06/16/1994)

PACER
43 April 29, 1994

Suggestions by defendant −Housing Authority in support of motion to/for divisional transfer case & consolidation pursuant to 28 USC 1404(a) & FRCP 42(a) [42−1] (Court Employee) (Entered: 06/16/1994)

PACER
44 May 5, 1994

Response by plaintiffs to motion of Interim Receiver of dft to/for divisional transfer case & consolidation pursuant to 28 USC 1404(a) & FRCP 42(a) (Court Employee) (Entered: 06/16/1994)

PACER
46 May 26, 1994

Reply suggestions in support by Interim Receiver of defendant −Housing Authority to motion to/for divisional transfer case & consolidation pursuant to 28 USC 1404(a) & FRCP 42(a) [42−1] (Court Employee) (Entered: 06/16/1994)

PACER
47 June 15, 1994

ORDER by Judge Elmo B. Hunter w/his consent, Case reassigned to Judge Dean Whipple (cc: all counsel) (Court Employee) (Entered: 06/16/1994)

PACER
48 July 1, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd to withdraw attorney Julie E. Levin (Court Employee) (Entered: 07/02/1996)

PACER
49 July 1, 1996

ENTRY OF APPEARANCE on behalf of plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd by Gregg F. Lombardi (Court Employee) (Entered: 07/02/1996)

PACER
50 July 5, 1996

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple granting motion to withdraw attorney Julie E. Levin [48−1] attorney Julie E. Levin for Ruth White (cc: all counsel) (Court Employee) (Entered: 07/05/1996)

PACER
51 July 10, 1996

Notice by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd's attorney Julie E. Levin for withdrawal of cnsl (Court Employee) (Entered: 07/11/1996)

PACER
52 April 7, 1997

MOTION by defendant −Housing Authority to extend time to reply to the application of the pla for award of attorneys fees i (Court Employee) (Entered: 04/07/1997)

PACER
53 April 14, 1997

Suggestions by defendant −Housing Authority in opposition to plas' application for the award of attaorneys' fees, w/suggs (Court Employee) (Entered: 04/15/1997)

PACER
54 April 21, 1997

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple granting dft's motion to extend time to reply to the application of the pla for award of attorneys fees [52−1] to & including 4/15/97 (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 04/21/1997)

PACER
55 April 28, 1997

Reply suggestions by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd to application f/award of statutory atty fees (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 04/29/1997)

PACER
56 Sept. 16, 1997

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple denying plf's motion f/attys fees & expenses suggestions [53−1] (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 10/08/1997)

PACER
57 Oct. 10, 1997

MOTION by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd to extend time to resubmit their application f/attys fees (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 10/10/1997)

PACER
58 Oct. 23, 1997

RENEWED MOTION by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd to extend time to resubmit their application f/attys' fees (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 10/23/1997)

PACER
59 Oct. 29, 1997

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple granting plfs' motion to extend time to resubmit their application f/attys fees [57−1] on or before 10/22/97 (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 10/29/1997)

PACER
60 Oct. 29, 1997

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple granting plfs' motion to extend time to resubmit their application f/attys' fees [58−1] on or before 10/31/97 all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 10/29/1997)

PACER
61 Oct. 31, 1997

RENEWED (APPLICATION) MOTION by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd for the award of statutory attorney fees w/supporting suggs (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 11/03/1997)

PACER
62 Nov. 13, 1997

Suggestions by defendant −Housing Authority in opposition to plt's renewed (application) motion for the award of statutory attorney fees [61−1] (Susan Larson) (Entered: 11/14/1997)

PACER
63 Nov. 24, 1997

Reply suggestions in support by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd to motion for the award of statutory attorney fees [61−1] (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 11/24/1997)

PACER
64 Jan. 15, 1998

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple granting plfs' motion for the award of statutory attorney fees [61−1] in the amount of $2,225 in attys' fees & expenses (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 01/15/1998)

PACER
66 Oct. 30, 1998

(APPLICATION) MOTION by plaintiff Ruth White, plaintiff Elsie Pearl Todd for the award of attorney fees w/supporting suggs (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 11/02/1998)

PACER
67 Dec. 16, 1998

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple granting plf's motion for the award of attorney fees [66−1] but at a reduced amount (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 12/16/1998)

PACER
68 Oct. 28, 1999

MOTION by class plaintiffs for attorney fees (Court Employee) (Entered: 10/28/1999)

PACER
69 Nov. 29, 1999

ORDER by Judge Dean Whipple granting plfs' motion for attorney fees [68−1] (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 11/29/1999)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Missouri

Case Type(s):

Public Housing

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 3, 1984

Closing Date: 1988

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Applicants determined to be ineligible for public housing by the Housing Authority of Kansas City.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Legal Services/Legal Aid

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

City

Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri

Defendant Type(s):

Housing Authority

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Other Dockets:

Western District of Missouri 4:84-cv-00852

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Attorneys fees

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Monitoring

Issues

General/Misc.:

Housing

Housing assistance

Discrimination Area:

Housing Sales/Rental

Recommended Citation