Case: Coleman v. Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority

3:25-cv-00133 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Filed Date: Feb. 20, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 20, 2025, two residents of Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) filed a class action lawsuit against RRHA in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. They alleged that RRHA systematically overcharged its poorest residents by failing to offer and grant the Hardship Exemption to minimum rent, in violation of the United States Housing Act and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. According to the complaint, RRHA failed to provide r…

On February 20, 2025, two residents of Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) filed a class action lawsuit against RRHA in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. They alleged that RRHA systematically overcharged its poorest residents by failing to offer and grant the Hardship Exemption to minimum rent, in violation of the United States Housing Act and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. According to the complaint, RRHA failed to provide residents meaningful, adequate, and timely notice of their right to request a Hardship Exemption to the minimum rent requirement; failed to adequately train its staff to inform residents of their right to request a Hardship Exemption; failed to immediately grant Hardship Exemptions when the facts warranting mandatory Hardship Exemptions were known to RRHA; and improperly pursued eviction actions against residents for nonpayment of the minimum rent. Plaintiffs also brought an action for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Represented by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Legal Aid Justice Center, and the National Housing Law Project, plaintiffs sought certification of a class of “current and former residents of public housing units owned, controlled, or operated by RRHA,” declaratory and injunctive relief, and compensatory damages.

This case was assigned to Judge Roderick C. Young. As of April 12, 2025, the case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Marisa London (4/12/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69656936/parties/coleman-v-richmond-redevelopment-and-housing-authority/


Judge(s)

Young, Roderick C. (Virginia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Rolfe, Robert Martin (Virginia)

Sibley, George Peter (Virginia)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:25-cv-00133

Class Action Complaint

Vernita Coleman v. Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Feb. 2, 2025

Feb. 2, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69656936/coleman-v-richmond-redevelopment-and-housing-authority/

Last updated Aug. 9, 2025, 9:43 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint (Class Action Complaint) ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AVAEDC-10018493.), filed by Vernita Coleman, Jayda James. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B)(Sibley, George) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Exhibit A

View on PACER

3 Exhibit B

View on PACER

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
2

NOTICE of Appearance by George Peter Sibley, III on behalf of Vernita Coleman, Jayda James (Sibley, George) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
3

Proposed Summons by Vernita Coleman, Jayda James (Sibley, George) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Martin Rolfe on behalf of Vernita Coleman, Jayda James (Rolfe, Robert) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER

Initial Case Assignment to District Judge Roderick C. Young. (adun, )

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
5

Summons Issued as to Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. NOTICE TO ATTORNEY: Please remove the headers and print two duplex copies of the Electronically issued summons for each Defendant. Please serve one copy of the summons and a copy of the Complaint upon each Defendant. Please ensure that your process server returns the service copy (executed or unexecuted) to your attention. Electronically file the summons return using the filing events Summons Returned Executed or Summons Returned Unexecuted. Please ensure that the original summons page signed by the clerk is the first document to appear when filing the return of service. (adun, ) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
6

STANDING ORDER in re Electronic Devices. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 1/15/2025. (adun, ) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
7

LOCAL CIVIL RULE 7(E) STANDING ORDER. Signed by District Judge Roderick C. Young on 7/16/2024. (adun, ) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Virginia

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 20, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

two residents of defendant public housing authority

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: Pending

Defendants

Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (Richmond, Richmond), City

Defendant Type(s):

Housing Authority

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Housing

Housing assistance

Poverty/homelessness

Discrimination Area:

Housing Sales/Rental