Document: 386 U.S. 670 87 S.Ct. 1244 18 L.Ed.2d 394 Joyce C. THORPE, Petitioner,v.HOUSING AUTHORITY OF the CITY DURHAM. No. 712. Argued March 21, 1967. Decided April 17, James M. Nabrit, III, New York City, for petitioner. Daniel K. Edwards, Durham, N.C., respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 In November 1964, petitioner became a tenant in McDougald Terrace, federally assisted, low-rent public housing project owned and managed by Housing Authority of City North Carolina. The lease provided tenancy from month to month, gave both right terminate giving notice at least 15 days before end any monthly term. On August 10, 1965, was elected president Terrace tenants' organization. next day her termination as 31. did not give reasons cancellation, declined accede petitioner's demands an explanation. refused vacate premises, thereupon brought summary ejectment action Justice Peace Court Durham. there obtained judgment eviction, which affirmed on appeal Superior Durham County Supreme Carolina.1 We granted certiorari. 385 967, 515, 17 432. has remained possession apartment pursuant stay Carolina Court. 2 contends that she constitutionally entitled setting forth lease, hearing thereon. She also suggests eviction invalid because it allegedly based participation protected associational activities.2 find unnecessary reach large issues stirred these claims, significant development occurred since we writ 3 February 7, 1967, Department Urban Development issued directive local authorities. After reciting fact dissatisfaction had been expressed with procedures projects suits challenge evictions authority given reason its action, circular stated: 4 'Since this is assisted program, believe essential no be without being told Local Authority, private conference or other appropriate manner, opportunity make such reply explanation he may wish.' 5 goes require authorities keep future records evictions, therefor, summaries conferences held tenants connection evictions.3 6 While provides certain shall kept commencing date issuance, suggestion basic procedure prescribes followed all proceedings have become final. If were accorded petitioner, case would assume posture quite different one now presented.4 Compare Wabash R. Co., State Missouri ex rel., v. Public Service Comm'n, 273 126, 131, 47 311, 313, 71 L.Ed. 575; Patterson Alabama, 294 600, 607, 55 575, 578, 79 1082; Klapprott United States, 335 601, 69 384, 93 266. 7 accordingly vacated, remanded further light Development. 8 It so ordered. 9 Judgment vacated remanded. 10 Mr. DOUGLAS, concurring. 11 Petitioner children low-income constructed federal state funds operated agency established under law 'a body corporate politic, exercising powers.' N.C.Gen.Stat. § 157—9 (1964). 'all powers necessary convenient carry out effectuate purposes provisions' Authorities Law (N.C.Gen.Stat. 157—1 et seq. (1964)), including 'to manage agent city municipality * city' act government acquisition, construction, operation and/or management project.' Id., 12 occupied initial term 30, automatically renewed thereafter successive terms changes income family composition violations terms. '(t)he Management Tenant writing fifteen prior last term.' 'shall terminated option Management' immediate re-entry notices required waived, if misrepresents material his application 'the fails comply provisions (the) lease.' 13 As I said, moved into their home 11, 1964. All apparently went well eight months; record reveals complaints manager project. Parents' Club, group composed Authority's Executive Director delivered canceled effective 31, time premises. No sudden cancellation. merely referred provision stating 14 requested determine termination; request summarily denied. Since hearing, home. Durham; court ordered removed appealed stipulated could findings decide basis stipulations affidavits. Petitioner's motion quash claimed 'eviction primarily resulted community activities organizer tenants, thus constituting unconstitutional abridgement freedom expression denial equal protection laws.' Her affidavit alleged 'that prompted Manager who wants get efforts organize (the project) *.' testify 'whatever been, any, (petitioner) organized (Emphasis added.) found evicted due nor election Club. termination. affirmed. 267 N.C. 431, 148 S.E.2d 290. 'owner' 'has occupy except insofar conferred upon written (Housing Authority) plaintiff signed.' 433, S.E.2d, 291. quit after restore Authority' belongs it.' 291—292. thought 'immaterial what lessor's unwillingness continue relationship landlord 292. Under rationale Court, authority, operating financed funds, assimilated position property owner can all. 16 bases decision remand comes office Assistant Secretary Renewal Assistance directed 'Local Authorities, Regional Administrators Assistance, HAA Division Branch Heads' reads part: provide '(i)n addition informing reason(s) proposed each maintain every housing,' specifies information contained are available HUD representatives review. 19 This superseded stated Administration 'strongly urge(s), matter good social policy, inform (notices vacate) action.' 20 presents two issues, neither resolved circular. first whether publicly second exercise First Amendment right. 21 (be) From inferred must eviction. But does specifically support eviction; cannot stand civil rights; even broach subject. argued only administrative hearing. certainly desirable lease. circular, more than press release, provide. Moreover, constitutional requirement where, here, full judicial when attempts evict him through process? courts. question 22 Over over again stressed nature theory our institutions government, principles they supposed rest do mean leave room play purely personal arbitrary power' (Yick Wo. Hopkins, 118 356, 369—370, 1064, 1071, 30 220) essence process individual against Ohio Bell Telephone Co. Utilities 301 292, 302, 57 724, 729, 81 1093; Slochower Board Higher Education, 350 551, 559, 76 637, 641, 100 692. Any contrary 'resembles philosophy feudal tenure.' Reich, Property, 73 Yale L.J. 733, 769. dispositive might pleasure. For dealing with, actions circumscribed Bill Rights Fourteenth Amendment. 'The still government. arbitrarily, for, unlike landlords, subject requirements law. Arbitrary process.' Rudder 96 U.S.App.D.C. 329, 331, 226 F.2d 51, 53. 23 recipient benefit, tax exemption (Speiser Randall, 357 513, 78 1332, 1460), unemployment compensation (Sherbert Verner, 374 398, 83 1790, 965), employment (Slochower 692), license practice (Spevack Klein, 511, 625, 574), project, made forfeit benefit exercises States Chicago, M., St. P. & P.R. 282 328—329, 51 159, 163—164, 75 359, said privilege depend grantee's submission condition prescribed hostile Constitution.' tradition Frost Railroad 271 583, 594, 46 605, 70 1101, where emphasized 'If compel surrender favor, may, like inconceivable guaranties embedded Constitution manipulated existence.' Speiser supra, 518, 1338, recognized 'To deny claimants engage forms speech effect penalize them speech. Its deterrent same fine appellees plainly mistaken argument that, 'privilege' 'bounty,' infringe speech.' association, Amendments. See, e.g., NAACP 449, 460, 1163, 1170, 1488; Bates Little Rock, 361 516, 523, 80 412, 416, 480; Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 486, 247, 251, 231; Louisiana rel. Gremillion NAACP, 366 293, 296, 1333, 1335, 301; Button, 371 415, 430—431, 328, 337, 405. 24 powerless tenant. A shown destroying fixtures, defacing walls, disturbing boisterous conduct number impair successful Eviction will completely protect viability making serf pleasure authority. 25 Here, engaged contended finding erroneous. pass concluded reason.* answers claim terminated. already And status regulation uncertain, uncertainty remove. Vacating remanding 'for circular' therefore furnishes guidelines courts remand, dispose issue presented. precise why within permissible range individual. 26 WHITE, dissenting. 27 agree DOUGLAS ground cause them. trial rejected allegations. supported evidence, although say, erroneously think, 'immaterial.'* There adequate but afforded lower explore fully evicted. view resolution case, basis. 28 affirm. proceedings, agreed: S. Oldham, present duly sworn testifying, whatever Thorpe 1965 text follows: 'SUBJECT: Terminations Tenancy Low-Rent Projects 'Within past year increasing practices projects. During period filed throughout generally challenging advising wish. 'In housing. Such review contain following information: '1. Name identification unit occupied. '2. Date vacate. '3. Specific example, undesirable actions, should detail determination instituted. '4. method notifying tenant, names participants. '5. description final taken. Circular above PHA Commissioner, dated May 1966, Circular. '(s) DON HUMMEL 'Assistant Assistance' urge, (eviction) Although specify issued, general statutory power 'such rules regulations out' programs assistance Act 1937, 8, 50 Stat. 891, amended, 42 U.S.C. 1408. legal extent binds authorities, applicable questions decide. statement facts preceding counsel, assertion (Superior) (C)ourt fact, evidence record.' 432, 290—291. Following recitation '(w)hatever (Authority's) terminating defendant My Brother WHITE argues amounted affirmance Court's evidence. But, me, belied court's statement, opinion, tenant.' indicates independent immaterial. indeed rely, see footnote my DOUGLAS' concurring is, understand it, prepared considered official.

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