UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
ROBERT BENNETT, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v. ……Civil Action No. 11-0498 (ESH)
SHAUN DONOVAN
Secretary, Housing and Urban
Development
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
On March 8, 2011, plaintiffs sued the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) in his official capacity, alleging that certain regulations implementing the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (“HECM”) program violate the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”), 5 U.S.C. § 551 et seq. Although plaintiffs originally brought four claims against HUD, the parties agree that three of the claims are now moot. Plaintiffs’ sole surviving claim alleges that the Secretary acted contrary to law by failing to protect the spouses of HECM mortgagors from foreclosure. This Court previously dismissed plaintiffs’ case for lack of standing. See Bennett v. Donovan, 797 F. Supp. 2d 69 (D.D.C. 2011). The Court of Appeals reversed. See Bennett v. Donovan, 703 F.3d 582 (D.C. Cir. 2013). The parties have now filed cross motions for summary judgment. (Pls.’ Mot. for Summ. J. (“Pls.’ Mot.”); Def.’s Combined Mem. in Support of his Mot. for Summ. J. and in Opp. To Pls.’ Mot. for Summ. J. (“Def.’s Mot.”).) For the reasons stated below, plaintiffs’ motion will be granted, and defendant’s motion will be denied.
