PROGRAMS / FAIR HOUSING
Where you live is your choice!
Federal, State and County Fair Housing laws protect you when you are looking for a place to live and while you are living in your house, co-op, condo or apartment. WRO will protect your rights under these fair housing laws if you live or are looking for a place to live in Westchester or Putnam Counties.
Know your Fair Housing Rights!
In Westchester County, you cannot be denied housing or be forced to move from your housing because of your: race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, family status (children under 18), sexual orientation, military status, citizenship or domestic abuse victimization.”
These categories are known as “Protected Classes.”
Fair Housing Means...
Fair Housing means an Equal Opportunity to live in the housing that you desire and can afford. Fair Housing means all houses, apartments, co-ops and condos must be made available on an equal basis, with terms conditions are the same for all. Everyone is entitled to seek housing in every neighborhood, and similar information should be provided to all home seekers. Redlining, blockbusting and intimidating are all illegal under the Fair Housing Laws. Fair Housing/Fair lending Laws cover all persons involved in a Real Estate transaction. Advertisers, appraisers, bankers and home inspectors are all required to give equal treatment to all consumers.
Click here for a Guide to Fair Housing -(pdf)
Click here for the Fair Housing Complaint Form -(pdf)
What WRO Does
Handles complaints
WRO responds to complaints of housing discrimination by investigating, testing, negotiating, mediating and litigating using a Panel of Cooperating Attorneys. Complaints come from home seekers, real estate professionals and advocates, particularly those working with immigrant communities and the disabled.
Call (914) 428-4507, Ext. 306.
Provides education for consumers
Fair Housing education for the general homebuying public takes place at Homebuying Expos, Countywide events, and specialized workshops. Workshops are developed to educate renters in their rights and responsibilities. Any group interested in sponsoring such a workshop should contact the Fair Housing Program.
Call (914) 428-4507, Ext. 306
Trains Professionals
The Fair Housing Program sponsors Fair Housing Seminars for advocates, Real Estate Professionals and other housing professionals. Seminars are held for staff and clients at non-profit agencies throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties, and agents call WRO daily concerning individual Fair Housing situations thus averting many Fair Housing complaints. WRO offers consultation services to housing professionals on fair housing issues.
Call (914) 428-4507 Ext. 306
Trains Co-op Boards
WRO can provide Co-op Board training on fair housing for a fee. An interactive CD Webcast for Coops is also available.
Call 428-4507, Ext. 306
Tests, Testers and Testing
Many fair housing complaints require testing. Testing is used to uncover violations of the Fair Housing Laws. Testers telephone and visit sites ( real estate and management offices) acting as bona fide home seekers and record their experiences in a written report. Testers may be paid or volunteers. Paid testers receive $11. per hour and travel expenses. Testers are trained before they begin testing. WRO looks for people who like to act, want to right wrongs, and have varied backgrounds and a little extra time.
Panel of Cooperating Attorneys
Attorneys are needed as part of the Fair Housing program to help right wrongs. The panel meets quarterly to discuss complaints received by WRO and to suggest approaches for resolving the complaint by: testing, negotiation, mediation and litigation. This may be at a variety of venues including: Human Rights Commissions or State or Federal Court. Seasoned Fair Housing attorneys offer their support and mentoring skills to attorneys interested in becoming trained as Fair Housing attorneys.
