FAIR HOUSING IS NOT AN OPTION. IT’S THE LAW.
“You have a right to housing free from discrimination”.
If you feel you’ve been discriminated against, the following information is needed:
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- Your name and address
- The date the violation occurred
- The person’s name and address that the complaint is against
- The housing unit address the complaint is about
- A brief description of the events leading up to the allegation
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Federal Fair Housing Laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. New York State Fair housing Laws also prohibit discrimination on the basis of: marital status, military status, age, sexual orientation or lawful sources of income such as Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, SSI, SSD, Veterans Benefits, and other Government Subsidies.
*Other forms of discrimination include:
Racial Steering
You have the right to choose where you live. It is illegal for real estate salespersons, brokers, or leasing agents to discourage you from seeing or being interested in certain properties because of the neighborhood’s racial composition.
Rental Discrimination
The terms of rental agreements must apply to all renters. Changing of such terms to deny or discourage your access to rental properties is illegal.
Financing Discrimination
Lending institutions, such as banks and mortgage lenders, are prohibited from denying loans because of your protected class.
False Denials of Availability
Federal, State and Local laws prohibit real estate salespersons, brokers, and property agents from telling you the property you are interested in is unavailable, when it is in fact available for rent or purchase.
Advertising Discrimination
Ads or commercials for houses or apartments cannot, by law show any preference for renters or buyers based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin or family status.
Redlining
It is illegal for lending institutions to change the interest rate or any terms of a loan in a discriminatory manner.
Blockbusting
It is illegal for anyone to pressure you into selling your home because someone of another race has moved out of, or into, your neighborhood.
Fair Lending
Some examples of lending discrimination include:
- Refusing to make a mortgage loan.
- Refusing to provide information regarding loans.
- Imposing different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, point, or fees.
- Discriminating in appraising a property.
- Requiring expectant mothers to return to work before approving a home loan.
Housing discrimination is prohibited by law
A person’s source of income cannot be used as a basis for discrimination in housing under the New York State Human Rights Law. As well as all forms of housing assistance (including Section 8 vouchers, HUD VASH vouchers, New York City FHEPS vouchers, etc.), this includes all lawful income sources, including: federal, state, and local public assistance, social security benefits, child support, alimony or spousal maintenance, foster care subsidies, or any other legal income.