Laguna Honda Home Page

Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH) residents
challenge segregation in huge San Francisco institution

Mark Chambers v. City and County of San Francisco

On September 18, 2008, Judge William H. Alsup granted final approval of the settlement agreement in Chambers et al. v. the City and County of San Francisco. This action was originally filed October 11, 2006, by six residents of Laguna Honda Hospital and the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRCSF) in San Francisco, alleging discrimination in the form of unnecessary institutionalization under the Americans with Disabilities Act. These residents prefer, and have been determined to be capable of, living in their own homes and in the community. The purpose of the Settlement Agreement is to enhance community-based living options, through the provision of services and housing, to class members.

The case was brought by Disability Rights California as lead counsel, with co-counsel from Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), AARP Foundation Litigation, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the law firm of Howrey LLP (pro-bono). For more information, please visit http://www.pai-ca.org/advocacy/LHH/Index.htm.

The class - all Medi-Cal recipients who reside at LHH, are on the waitlist for LHH, are within two years post discharge from LHH, or are patients at SFGH and are eligible for discharge to LHH - was certified by the Court in July, 2007.

Links to additional information