ADDITIONAL $3M FOR TESTING INCLUDED IN ONE-HOUSE BUDGET
In response to the New York State Senate’s inclusion of additional fair housing enforcement funding in the current One-House budget, FHJC has joined the other member organizations of the New York State Fair Housing Network and Enterprise Community Partners in releasing the following statement:
“We applaud the State Senate for the additional $3 million in fair housing testing funds included in its One-House budget, prioritizing access to housing free from systemic discrimination.
In recent years, populations vulnerable to housing discrimination and disinvestment, including people with disabilities and communities of color, have been greatly impacted by the health and economic ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, New Yorkers have experienced heightened housing discrimination based on factors like race, ethnicity and source of income. As rental prices now surge across New York, we must continue to offer the vital fair housing services needed to support individuals and families statewide.
We are grateful for this new state funding, as well as the $2 million the Governor allocated in her executive budget, and the Assembly allocated in their One-House budget. We urge the Senate, Assembly and Governor to work together to ensure this additional funding makes its way into the final budget, and that this funding can be used to fund a wide-range of fair housing activities, mirroring the Eliminating Barriers to Housing New York program.”
Member organizations of the New York State Fair Housing Coalition include:
- The Fair Housing Justice Center
- CNY Fair Housing
- Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc.
- Legal Assistance of Western New York
- Long Island Housing Services, Inc.
- Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc.
The mission of the FHJC, a nonprofit civil rights organization, is to eliminate housing discrimination; promote policies and programs that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and strengthen enforcement of fair housing laws in the New York City region.