Smith v. St. Louis Housing Authority (In Re Smith)

SCOTT, Bankruptcy Judge.

I. Factual Background

Wyseda Smith resides in public housing. That is, her rent is subsidized by the Public Housing Authority as administrator of housing assistance funds. The Housing Authority pays directly to Ms. Smith’s landlord a specific amount each month for Ms. Smith to rent an apartment. If her benefits terminate, the Housing Authority would no longer pay this subsidy, and the landlord, not receiving the rent obligation, would have the right to seek her eviction from the premises. 1

Under the applicable regulations, the debtor, like all recipients of the public…