A Message from FHJC Policy Coordinator Britny McKenzie
Over the last several months, the FHJC has shared news of big wins in our Policy work, including numerous new fair housing bills that have been signed into law.
We’re excited to report that FOUR MORE bills were just signed into law on Monday, February 28, by Governor Hochul. The bills strengthen the package of fair housing bills enacted last year to prohibit discriminatory real estate practices.
- Bill S07731: Funds an anti-discrimination in housing fund using fees collected during the issuing and reissuing of real estate licenses.
- Bill S07728: Allows the attorney general to enter into contracts with qualified fair housing organizations to conduct testing, using money generated from the anti-discrimination in housing fund.
- Bill S07730: Increases the required fair housing training for real estate brokers and salespeople; strengthens requirements pertaining to the instruction of established fair housing curriculum.
- Bill S07727: Shortens the delivery date for the state’s required report regarding the obligation to affirmatively further fair housing.
Thank you for all that you do to support fair housing. Your advocacy and efforts helped to get historic legislation passed. And now we’re calling on you again.
A4665 is one of the most important bills that did not get included in last year’s legislative package. It lays out a specific definition of fair housing testing and REQUIRES the attorney general to conduct testing EVERY YEAR to ensure compliance with the human rights law.
As of today, A4665 has only passed in the Senate and has yet to be approved by the Assembly. We’re calling on our supporters to demand its passage and get New York State to finally begin taking housing discrimination seriously.
Voicing your support is easy. Click the button below to view the bill on the legislature’s website and click “AYE” to register your support. You can also use https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/ to find your assembly member and contact them by phone, paper mail or email.
With your help, we’ve made some legislative progress since Newsday’s Long Island Divided story shed much-needed light on the pervasive problem of ongoing housing discrimination. But there’s still much to be done. I hope you’ll join us in the fight to make fair housing a reality for ALL New Yorkers.
Sincerely,
Britny McKenzie
Policy Coordinator
Fair Housing Justice Center