Williamsburg, NY - Court Throws Out Lawsuit by Chasidic Jews Alleging Housing Discrimination |
|
| |
News Source: VIN News Staff
Text Size
|
|
Williamsburg, NY - Seventeen Hasidic Jews from Williamsburg sued the New York City Housing Authority in Federal Court, alleging that they were excluded from public housing in violation of the Free Housing Act. A certain percentage of public housing is allotted to different segments of the population to keep the housing projects reflective of the community. While the actual percentage is in dispute, either 2.4% or 4% of available housing is made available to Hasidic Jews, prompting the group to sue the Housing Authority for discrimination on the grounds that the percentage of housing allotted to the Hasidic community does not accurately reflect their representation in the community.
The original lawsuit was thrown out because there was no documentation which could prove that any discrimination existed. The decision was appealed to the court of appeals which upheld the lower court’s decision, saying that the plaintiffs failed to show what percentage of all applicants were Hasidim. Without that documentation, there was essentially no way to prove that any discrimination existed.
To read more about this lawsuit 
More of today's headlines
“Manhattan, NY - For the first time, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has spoken out against plans to stage the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, accused mastermind of the Sept...”
Manhattan, NY - Bloomberg Wants Terror Trial Moved
Manhattan, NY - Jewelry Store Worker Killed in Upper East Side Robbery
Total20
Read Comments (20) — Post Yours »
1
Jan 27, 2010 at 05:01 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
how disappointing. Another example of people trying to sue to just " to earn some money for their kid's chasunas". This is not an erlach way to behave, and although no laws were broken, it is this kind of activity that incites hate amongst the non jews. We are supposed to be "a light unto the nations", not an example of American greed. What a shame.
2
Jan 27, 2010 at 05:02 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Discrimination only exists when it's against black, reverse discrimination doesn't exist.
3
Jan 27, 2010 at 05:31 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Appeal to the Supreme Court.
4
Jan 27, 2010 at 05:32 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
With a conservative majority in the supreme court, its likely to be reversed on appeal.
5
Jan 27, 2010 at 05:33 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
#2--if you read teh story you will see that the chasidim had the opportunity to prove their case but didn't. just alleging discrimination holds no water anywhere but in the minds of the folks who think so
6
Jan 27, 2010 at 05:38 PM punch Says:Report as Inappropriate
this is a very sad day for the entire williamsburg community. we had much hope in the court that we'll get rid of the low lives who currently occupy many of the public housing, by getting more heimishe families in their.
i'm in no way implying that all non-jews living there aren't good. to the contrary. most of them are law abiding citizens, especially the elders. it's just unfurtuante that in the last 2 decades more & more low class individuals moved in there, thereby bringing down the quality of life in the housing projects.
it's no secret of what's going there when on a daily basis the police are responding to various assaults and drug cases occuring there.
7
Jan 27, 2010 at 06:25 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
There is enormous discrimination against Yidden in the housing department. It's impossible for a local Jewish family to get an apartment in the projects. Every vacancy goes to a low-life.
8
Jan 27, 2010 at 06:32 PM Norman Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is what happens when you go into court without proper preparation and documentation. Accusation have to be backed up in court,just screaming discrimination doesnt get you anyplace, This case is very lousy written and prepared, i read the documents and its very childish, you could see that this is a very very weak case against NYC. Chassidim in Williamsburg need their own lawyers that really really care about the williamsburg community, or nothing will suffice their predicament
9
Jan 27, 2010 at 06:58 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Knowing something like discrimination exists and being able to prove it are two different things! Tough case to make.
10
Jan 27, 2010 at 07:44 PM vos di zogst Says:Report as Inappropriate
To #1 your talking like some high class guy that doesn't have any programs or anything. Usually those people like you have the most you where just scared that someone might get a little bit more than you. Come on just show your true colors somewhere else and realize that it is hard for the large chasidish communities to afford expansive housing.
11
Jan 27, 2010 at 07:59 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ how disappointing. Another example of people trying to sue to just " to earn some money for their kid's chasunas". This is not an erlach way to behave, and although no laws were broken, it is this kind of activity that incites hate amongst the non jews. We are supposed to be "a light unto the nations", not an example of American greed. What a shame. ”
it's not about money it's about grtting dirus
next time don't judge and keep the rhetoric to your self
12
Jan 27, 2010 at 08:48 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
It is discrimination. I am surprised that with all the effort they didn't present the case well. The projects were more populated with yidden a few yrs ago. Now it's impossible for a yid to get an apt there. Lately, many yidden are moving out because they are afraid of their neighbors.
13
Jan 27, 2010 at 08:55 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ it's not about money it's about grtting dirus
next time don't judge and keep the rhetoric to your self ”
Huh? "Grtting dirus". Is that Yiddish?
14
Jan 27, 2010 at 10:01 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ this is a very sad day for the entire williamsburg community. we had much hope in the court that we'll get rid of the low lives who currently occupy many of the public housing, by getting more heimishe families in their.
i'm in no way implying that all non-jews living there aren't good. to the contrary. most of them are law abiding citizens, especially the elders. it's just unfurtuante that in the last 2 decades more & more low class individuals moved in there, thereby bringing down the quality of life in the housing projects.
it's no secret of what's going there when on a daily basis the police are responding to various assaults and drug cases occuring there. ”
"we had much hope in the court that we'll get rid of the low lives who currently occupy many of the public housing"
This is terrible loshon horah. There is no reason why the court should find any discrimination because there are too many misnagdim or goyim living in these projects. Non-chassidic New Yorkers have the same entitlement to public housing as chassidim.
15
Jan 27, 2010 at 10:13 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I don't live in New York so this is probably a stupid question but why would any ehrleche yid want to live in a "public housing project". In most cities, a yid would sooner camp out in the park than live in the projects.
16
Jan 27, 2010 at 10:28 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Now a days there is discrimination amongs the jews themselves. If you belong to an opposing faction you are discriminated against.
17
Jan 28, 2010 at 01:46 AM JK Williamsburg Says:Report as Inappropriate
The court didn't say that the plainttifs (the Chasidic Community), claims are not true, they just said, that, 'if u can't prove it we can't help u', its on the plainttifs to prove their case and without having a way to get the applicant lists from NYCHA and prove who is Jewish and who is non jewish its impossible to present a good case.
To resolve this unfair treatment against the chasidic community who can not live in any public housing around NYC since they have to be in areas where their kids can go to schools, koshers, etc. the best way would be that NYCHA should change the application process without court intervention like all housing agencies across america have in place, that, people from the the area have the first option to rent an apartment when an apartment becomes available.
18
Jan 28, 2010 at 08:38 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
#10 - I would respond to your comment if I had any clue as to what you were saying. "High class guy"?? I am a plain middle aged woman.
The only part of your poorly constructed diatribe I could decipher was something about programs. Thankfully I live on my income, though it is a huge struggle to make ends meet.
To the rest of you, it is possible that since I don't live in Williamsburg I am not privvy to the day to day attempts to get affordable housing. But if that's the case, that the Chassidim are often denied access to available apartments, then they need to hire decent lawyers and learn to present their case a little better.
They should learn from their fellow jews in other communities who know how to navigate the political waters of their local government.
19
Jan 28, 2010 at 04:47 PM A. Nuran Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ this is a very sad day for the entire williamsburg community. we had much hope in the court that we'll get rid of the low lives who currently occupy many of the public housing, by getting more heimishe families in their.
i'm in no way implying that all non-jews living there aren't good. to the contrary. most of them are law abiding citizens, especially the elders. it's just unfurtuante that in the last 2 decades more & more low class individuals moved in there, thereby bringing down the quality of life in the housing projects.
it's no secret of what's going there when on a daily basis the police are responding to various assaults and drug cases occuring there. ”
I....see.....
There wasn't any discrimination. You just don't like certain people. So you brought a false case in front of the Court to ethnically cleanse the neighborhood, costing the owner, the Court and the city a lot of time and money
Radvan Karadic would be proud
20
Jan 28, 2010 at 05:46 PM Bugsy Siegel Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Huh? "Grtting dirus". Is that Yiddish? ”
I think he means getting diras. Dirah is hebrew for apartment.