Guide to Fair Housing
Fair Housing for All
Back to Fair Housing Program (Part 3 of 3) Previous: Part 2
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. (WRO)
470 Mamaroneck Avenue, Room 410
White Plains, New York 10605
914-428-4507; 914-428-4512(HOTLINE)
Ann Seligson-Fair Housing Director
WRO has a Fair Housing Program that investigates discrimination complaints, and can provide an attorney for clients bringing discrimination cases to local or New York State Human Rights Commissions or to Federal court. The agency also refers cases to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In addition, WRO educates landlords and the real estate industry as to their rights and responsibilities under fair housing laws.
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
451 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 5116
Washington, DC 20410-2000
202-708-2878; HUD Hotline 1-800-669-9777
HUD New York Regional Office
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278-0068
212-264-1290
HUD investigates housing discrimination cases and makes available a variety of legal remedies to complainants including hearings before an Administrative Law Judge and legal representation in Federal Court.
New York State Division of Human Rights
30 Glenn Street
White Plains, New York 10603
914-949-4394
The division enforces anti-discrimination laws and accepts verified complaints of housing bias (must be filed within one year of occurrence).
New York State Attorney General
143 Grand Street
White Plains, New York 10601-4823
914-422-8755
The Attorney General's office investigates discrimination complaints which show a consistent pattern or practice. They also publish a tenants' rights booklet.
Westchester Legal Services
4 Cromwell Place
White Plains, New York 10605
914-949-1305
This agency provides a wide range of free civil legal help for those who can't afford counsel. Special programs advocate for the disabled and low income people denied housing. The following commissions investigate housing discrimination complaints from their city residents or potential residents.
White Plains Commission on Human Rights
Slater Center
2 Fisher Court
White Plains, New York 10601
Harry 0. Bright, Commissioner
914-422-1272
Yonkers Human Rights Office
87 Nepperhan Avenue, 4+h Floor
Yonkers, New York 10701
914-377-6680
New Rochelle Human Rights Commission
City Hall
515 North Avenue
New Rochelle, New York 10801
David Moore, Commissioner
914-"100%"-2161
FAIR HOUSING TERMS
Protected Classes - Groups of people who are specifically protected under Fair Housing laws; Federal protected classes are: Race, Religion, Sex, Color, National Origin, Family Status (Children) and Handicap or Disability; New York State protected classes also include Age and Marital Status.
Pattern and Practice - Discriminatory behavior which is not an isolated incident but a consistent and regular way of operating by a real estate office, management company, or property owner.
Refusal to Deal - A housing seeker is told that suitable housing is not available even though it is.
Steering - People are encouraged to reside in an area with people of the same race, color, religion, or national origin and are shown housing units only in those areas.
Blockbusting - Any method which encourages people to sell or move because minorities are moving into a neighborhood.
Tester - An individual who acts as a housing seeker to establish whether an agent, property owner, or management company is acting in a discriminatory manner.
Administrative Law Judge - An attorney employed by HDD to review housing discrimination complaints, determine the validity of a complaint, and stipulate the amount of compensation to be awarded a complainant.
Reasonable Modification - Sensible changes to a structure or to rules that make life easier for a disabled person: for example, changes in doorway widths, cabinet heights, handholds, or a parking space that is in a more accessible location