Wilkes-Barre (PA) Housing Project Residents Sue Over Bed Bug Infestation

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Seventeen plaintiffs have put their names on a proposed class action that alleges current and former residents of Lincoln Plaza, a 200-unit public housing project owned and operated by The City of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Housing Authority (the defendant in this action), have fallen prey to “unconscionable and substandard living conditions” resulting from a “severe and unabated” bed bug infestation. The lawsuit alleges the defendant, since as far back as 2013, has known about the bed bug problem in proposed class members’ apartments yet failed to do anything to address the situation.

The 26-page lawsuit further alleges an individual defendant, Lincoln Plaza’s property manager, actively attempted to conceal the bed bug infestation from proposed class members by reportedly denying that any bed bugs were even present in the building. The case asserts the individual defendant went so far as to instruct residents not to talk about the infestation, threatening those who spoke up about the problem with eviction.

Worse, the complaint claims the defendants continue to rent out units in Lincoln Plaza without telling prospective tenants of the bed bug infestation.

“Today, bed bugs can be found on every floor of all three buildings at Lincoln Plaza,” the case reads, “in multiple apartments on each floor, as well as in common areas, including hallways, elevators, and the resident community room.