Disability Advocacy Groups Allege Phoenix Section 8 Wait List Could Lead To Discrimination

Published: Friday, August 5, 2016 - 7:07pm

After 11 years, the City of Phoenix will start accepting applications for its Section 8 housing wait list on Monday. There are concerns among some advocacy groups that people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency, could face discrimination

The Arizona Center for Disability Law, the William E. Morris Institute for Justice, and other housing and disability advocacy groups allege the City of Phoenix is violating federal law when it comes to the application process.

"We do admit that over the last two months the city has tried to do a few things you know to help the situation but they don’t totally resolve our concerns," said Ellen Katz with the William E. Morris Institute. "This has been sort of a patch work."

Cindy Stotler, who is the city’s director of housing, said her agency has made every reasonable accommodation and more.

"I can’t guarantee that every person with visual issues and is using a screen reading software can read the application. I can’t guarantee that," she said. "That’s why we offer paper or phone applications."

Katz says her organization and the Center for Disability Law have filed discrimination complaints with the Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development.