Approval of Settlement in Housing Authority Class Action

Judge Glen Conrad has preliminarily approved a class action settlement agreement between public housing residents and the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority.  The lawsuit alleged that residents overpaid tens of thousands of dollars for electrical utilities from June 2007 to May based on an outdated formula used to calculate energy allowances.  The amount of the settlement is  $160,000, but the Daily Progress reports that between this settlement sum and overhauled billing practices and rent credits negotiated as part of the agreement, the lawsuit will result in $500,000 for residents.