The University of Hawai'i is in the process of accommodating same-sex couples in family housing, a UH official said yesterday.

The statement by Francisco Hernandez, vice chancellor for students, came after Lambda Legal on Monday said it was suing UH on behalf of a gay couple it says was not allowed to move back into family housing after living there for a year.

"The lawsuit is surprising and disappointing because UH-Manoa was already working on changing our housing policies to accommodate couples such as the plaintiffs and families in similar situations, and we are in the process of doing so," Hernandez said.

Plaintiffs attorney Clyde Wadsworth said the lawsuit was filed Monday, after UH officials said they were open to reviewing the policy but could not give a timetable or commitment.

Of the UH statement yesterday, Wadsworth said, "It's a great first step and we've always said we'd like to work with the university to help them change the policy. This indicates to me they're moving to change the policy, and that's great. We'd still like to see something definite."

The lawsuit will remain pending "until resolved by the courts or we reach a settlement with the university," Wadsworth said.

Joseph O'Leary was working toward a history degree during the 2006-2007 school year and lived in family housing with Phil Ngo, according to Brian Chase, Lambda Legal senior staff attorney. When they reapplied for family housing for the 2007-2008 school year, Chase said, their request was denied in a letter that says family housing is reserved for different-sex couples.

Ngo and O'Leary now live in a more expensive off-campus apartment that requires O'Leary to pay for "significant" commuting expenses, Chase said. O'Leary also had to give up his subsidized student meal plan, Chase said.

The extra costs amount to several thousand dollars per year, Chase said.