Allegations of mismanagement and discrimination in the administration of a federal housing assistance program have led to a civil lawsuit involving multiple public housing authorities and a private rental company. The complaint was filed by Mariama Ali on April 23, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina against the Housing Authority of the City of Charlotte (doing business as Inlivian), Housing Authority of the County of Wake (doing business as Wake County Housing Authority), Raleigh Housing Authority, and Invitation Homes 7 North Carolina LP (doing business as Invitation Homes).
According to court documents, Ali claims that failures by these defendants to properly administer her Housing Choice Voucher resulted in lost housing opportunities, financial harm, and ongoing instability. The complaint outlines repeated efforts by Ali to obtain assistance with her voucher and secure suitable housing but alleges that the defendants failed to respond or process her requests adequately. “Defendants failed to respond, failed to process the voucher, and interfered with Plaintiff’s ability to obtain housing,” the filing states.
The dispute centers on Ali’s attempts to use her voucher for a three-bedroom unit with specific accessibility needs due to disability-related limitations. The complaint asserts that while her voucher was issued through Inlivian and coordinated with other agencies including Raleigh Housing Authority and Wake County Housing Authority, she encountered significant barriers. These included what she describes as improper recognition or refusal by Raleigh Housing Authority to honor her three-bedroom voucher and inadequate coordination from both Wake County Housing Authority and Inlivian regarding required payments.
Ali also describes an unsuccessful attempt to lease a property managed by Invitation Homes in Charlotte. She alleges that throughout this process she faced repeated threats that her application would be withdrawn, was given inconsistent information about property conditions—such as appliances being represented as new when they were not—and was denied requested accommodations related to her disability. Specifically, Ali requested a hard copy of a lengthy lease agreement but claims this was refused: “Defendant failed and/or refused to provide the requested accommodation.” She further alleges that after being issued a lease for signature, it was withdrawn within six hours—before the stated deadline—leaving her unable to secure the rental.
The complaint details additional safety concerns identified during property inspections connected with both Inlivian and Wake County Housing Authority. These include allegations that hazards such as dryer vent buildup posing fire risks or weakened deck railings were not documented or addressed during inspections. Ali reports being required to obtain liability insurance despite these unresolved issues.
Beyond individual incidents, Ali asserts there is an ongoing pattern of interference with her ability to utilize her voucher effectively. She states that Wake County Housing Authority currently holds her voucher but has refused requests for electronic delivery needed for timely applications. The complaint also recounts an in-person meeting at Wake County’s office which Ali describes as intimidating due to staff conduct.
The legal action brings several counts under federal law including disability discrimination (failure to accommodate), interference with fair housing rights, discriminatory terms and unequal treatment, misrepresentation in housing conditions—all under various provisions of the Fair Housing Act—as well as alleged due process violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the public housing authority defendants.
Ali seeks compensatory damages for application fees, travel expenses, relocation costs, emotional distress, loss of opportunity, punitive damages for alleged willful conduct by defendants Invitation Homes 7 North Carolina LP specifically exceeding $5,000 (including third-party rental assistance losses), injunctive relief requiring proper administration of her voucher going forward—including access in usable formats—and removal of any restrictions imposed by Invitation Homes preventing future applications.
The case is identified as Civil Action No. 3:26-cv-00324-MOC-WCM. Mariama Ali is representing herself pro se.
