Long Island Housing Services (LIHS) settled a Source of Income complaint against Oakview Apartments in Coram, Homestead Village Associates, and Cole Group Realty.
As seen in Newsday
In 2021, LIHS received an allegation of Source of Income discrimination against Oakview Apartments. As part of the investigation, LIHS’ testers posed as ordinary home seekers to document the treatment they experienced for LIHS to determine compliance with fair housing laws. In addition, LIHS assisted and represented an individual with her allegation of Source of Income housing discrimination against the Respondents.
Source of Income Discrimination Investigation
Long Island Housing Services’ 2021 testing and investigation revealed evidence that a tester posing as a person having unemployment benefits allegedly was told that unemployment benefits were not accepted as income.
New York State, Suffolk County, and Nassau County Human Rights Laws prohibit discrimination based on a lawful source of income. Source of income discrimination occurs when a housing provider refuses to accept a lawful source of income, including, but not limited to, Supplemental Social Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSD), Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) Housing Subsidy, Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver program, or child support.
People who believe that they have experienced housing discrimination in Nassau or Suffolk Counties, can contact Long Island Housing Services, Inc. at 631-567-5111 ext. 375.
Hablamos Español 631-567-5111 Ext. 378 or info@lifairhousing.org
Reinforcing Fair Housing Rights
LIHS negotiated the settlement agreement which included monetary damages of $18,000 to LIHS, and the Respondents are required to adopt a non-discriminatory fair housing policy, display compliance with fair housing laws, and participate in fair housing training.
The individual complainant settled the complaint with the Respondents.
“It is extremely important for individuals seeking housing to report potential housing discrimination. Their complaints help us focus our limited resources on places that might require correction. We appreciate that anyone in a housing search is using some of their already limited time to contact us to make Long Island a better place to live,” said Ian Wilder, LIHS Executive Director.
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Founded in 1969, Long Island Housing Services, Inc. is a private, nonprofit HUD-qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization and a federally certified Housing Counseling agency. Long Island Housing Services’ mission is the elimination of unlawful discrimination and promotion of decent and affordable housing through advocacy and education. (www.LIFairHousing.org)
LIHS has been recognized by Long Island Press in 2023 as a “Real Estate Player” and for the last three years by City & State magazine as a “Long Island Power 100.” LIHS has also has Platinum status with Candid for its transparency.
The Fair Housing enforcement and advocacy work of LIHS is supported through grants from Enterprise Community Partners.
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