New York State partnered with six nonprofit organizations across the state to deploy undercover testers to act as potential renters and home seekers. News. She returned to the FHJC in her current role in 2022 after previously working for the organization as an Investigative Coordinator and Senior Investigative Coordinator from 2016 2019. So far, the county has spent more than $70 million to comply. Our Work | Follow Tax Watch columnist David McKay Wilson on Facebook or Twitter @davidmckaywils1. Paola is an Administrative Assistant at Fair Share Housing Center. 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. Director Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity . PHILADELPHIA Mayor Jim Kenney today announced that Rue Landau, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) and Fair Housing Commission (FHC), will leave City government effective Friday, December 18, 2020. 1001 - anelson@fhcci.org. record of achievement and commitment to justice of MFHC. Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director/General Counsel (she/her) Even more so, it enables Long Islanders move toward a home that we all strive for where our neighbors can choose to live wherever they want free of discrimination. NAndrea Harrington, Intake & Outreach Specialist (she/her) Joshs experience includes successfully overturning invalid zoning ordinances and reversing arbitrary and capricious Planning Board denials when municipal boards attempt to block affordable housing developments. Before that, she held Program Director roles at Disability Rights New York, where she supervised teams that protected and advocated for the legal rights of people with disabilities. As part of the FHJCs team of Investigative Coordinators, Frank conducts research and leads and structures housing discrimination investigations. She also spent over ten years working in the arts as an Actors Equity Association Stage Manager where she worked at regional theaters, national tours, and off-Broadway. Most recently, she worked as a policy consultant and strategist in New Jersey, with clients including Salvation and Social Justice and Newark Community Street Team. Shocked and upset by this blatantly discriminatory treatment, the couple contacted the FHJC for assistance. In her role as Policy Manager, Britny is responsible for the development and execution of policy-related activities, programs, research, and communications that advance the FHJCs mission and vision. Adam is Executive Director at Fair Share Housing Center. Black Americans have been fighting for freedom from all oppression that has hindered our nation from reaching its full potential and living up to its pledge, One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!. Yes Lee Cheng, Co-founder of the Asian American Coalition for Education Lee Cheng is an attorney and community activist who has fought discrimination against Asian Americans for almost three decades. FHJC's mission is to . Let us confirm that and get back to you. Fair Housing Justice Center Easy 1-Click Apply. We applaud the many individuals and Unlock NYC who shared information about the discriminatory practices we are challenging here, said FHJC Executive Director Elizabeth Grossman. In response to the wave of complaints all against the same company, FHJC launched an investigation into Finders business practices. David is a Senior Disaster Recovery Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. Diane L. Houk, a lawyer representing the Fair Housing Justice Center, and also its former executive director, said the requirement of three reference letters from existing owners "sounds neutral . Thanks to the support of HCR, people throughout our service area will know that they can come to us for help, and that our programs will get them the help they need.. As National Projects and Investigations Coordinator, Shaye works closely with the National Field Consultant to oversee investigations and training programs across the country, with a special emphasis on lender testing. Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center v. St. Bernard Parish, 641 F.Supp.2d 563, 573-74 (E.D. "We . New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, Housing is an essential human right and we must continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that all New Yorkers have a fair and equal opportunity to live in the communities of their choice. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. Shaye holds a masters degree in social work from the University of Akron and a bachelors degree in social work from Cleveland State University. Roundtable participants included, from left to right, McKenna Raney-Gray, LGBTQ Justice Project Staff Attorney, ACLU of Mississippi; John Jopling, Housing Law Director, MS Center for Justice; DeAndra Cullen, DAS, HUD FHEO, Office of Policy, Legislative Initiatives, and Outreach; Stacey Howard, Executive Director, Grace House; Charles Harris, Founder/Executive Director, HEED. Yvette, Ramsey, Michelle and I share a commitment to the FHJCs mission of fighting housing discrimination, and we are excited to work together towards that goal., FHJC Executive DirectorElizabeth Grossmanpaid tribute to the outgoing officers includingBernhard Blythe, who is stepping down after more than three years as Board President, along with Vice PresidentLisa DardenandSecretaryMichele Aronowitz. Everyone deserves a home, and Im proud to work somewhere that prioritizes housing as a human right.. failed to design and construct a rental . Britny McKenzie, Policy Manager (she/hers) The programs outreach and training will focus on fair housing protections including for those with arrest and conviction histories. The expansion will increase proactive investigations of suspected housing discrimination and enhance education and outreach efforts on fair housing rights, including for individuals with a history of criminal system involvement. BOSTON - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit today alleging that the Chicopee Housing Authority and its Executive Director, Monica Blazic, violated the Fair Housing Act based on disability. 302, Long Island City, NY 11101 Prior to joining the FHJC in 2022, she was a pathways trainee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she worked in the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity division. An East End premiere showing of Norman Lear's A House Divided featuring undercover Fair Housing investigations and discussion with documentary participant, Fair Housing Justice Center's nationally renowned Executive Director Fred Freiberg, will cap the evening. 302, Long Island City, NY 11101 Esm comes to Fair Share as a South Jersey native and a graduate of Rutgers Law School. They created lanes not only through voting rights, housing, and education, but also through the ability to advocate for my community.. Colavita, whose father was Republican county chairman during the GOPs heyday in Westchester in the 1990s, faces Democrat John Eickemeyer in the November election. . Testing remains a critical tool for fair housing organizations to use in the fight against discrimination, and . Gabrielle Vera, Investigative Coordinator (she/her) Since 2014, Eric has worked at New York based nonprofits with a focus on equity in employment and housing. a regional fair housing organization based in New York City with a national reputation and nationwide impact, seeks an experienced individual with a passion for fair housing and racial justice as its next . She joined the organization in 2021. Unlock NYC works with voucher holders and advocates to build tools that make it easier to identify, document, and report source of income discrimination during a housing search. Sally Santangelo, Executive Director of CNY Fair Housing, said, CNY Fair Housing has a long history of fighting barriers to housing in the Syracuse region. Zoey is a Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. Rachel has served on the Supreme Court of New Jersey District X Fee Arbitration Committee as an appointed volunteer attorney, is trained in collaborative law, and received her certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of Southern Florida. The policy . "This kind of blatant steering, which has been outlawed for more than 50 years, is a continuing stain on the real estate industry and a major . With this funding, we will be able to conduct more fair housing testing and outreach to our region and beyond. She has been a member of the FHJC Board since 2019. at Yale. Attorney Ramsey Chamie will be continuing his service as Treasurer. Elizabeth began her career at the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she worked for twenty years, ultimately as Regional Attorney, running the litigation program in the New York District and as Senior Litigation Project Manager, where she had national responsibilities in support of the agencys systemic litigation program. Ms. Nacinovich is an attorney at a non-prot, representing poor Bronx residents in a wide range of civil matters. He has also successfully negotiated agreements with over 100 of New Jerseys municipalities for fair share plans to address their constitutional affordable housing obligations, and he has successfully argued before the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. Their work as Executive Committee members has been invaluable during my transition as a new Executive Director, and Im very pleased that they will all be continuing on as Board members. She added, Im looking forward to working closely with our new officers and the entire Board as the FHJC continues our mission to make fair housing a living reality for all.. The settlement, which was approved on May 28, comes shortly after the town of Greenburgh settled a federal fair housing case over the town's opposition to affordable housing on Dromore Road in Edgemont for $9.5 million. "To get a Section 8 voucher in the City of New York, there'sa residency preference, but it is lawful because New York City is very diverse. Amy Nelson is the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) having joined the FHCCI in October 2011. . For six years prior to joining Fair Share and attending law school, Will worked with nonprofit legal services organizations in New York City on Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. The full complaint can be read here. The Fair Housing Testing Program is administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewals Fair and Equitable Housing Office and expands the pilot testing program established by the office in 2021. She is a former chair of the Civil Rights Committee at the New York City Bar Association and a committed advocate of civil rights. Several of the complaints were referred to the FHJC by the nonprofit advocacy group Unlock NYC. Colavita lamented having to eliminate the housing preference. If you are a senior citizen in Eastchester and your intention was to go to your same church, go to your same doctor and have family around you as you grow older, removing the preference was not good, he said. She is a former chair of the Civil Rights Committee at the New York City Bar Association and a committed advocate of civil rights. Administrative Assistantdonnagomez@fairsharehousing.org, My inspiration, and what I love the most about working at FSHC, is the people. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her wife and dogs and drinking lots of coffee. degrees. A member of the Democratic Party, Clinton became known as a New Democrat, as . The fair housing testing and outreach partners are: CNY Fair Housing, the Fair Housing Justice Center, Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Long Island Housing Services, and Westchester Residential Opportunities. Executive Director, Fair Housing Justice Center. Today, the Fair Housing Justice Center . Zoey also previously served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York, Special Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, and a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for theSouthern District of New York. Shayes fair housing career began in 2013 in Ohio at the Fair Housing Contact Service in Akron where she worked as the FHIP PEI Program Manager. Eastchester resident Janet Harrison, who is raising her children in a bi-racial family, said it took a civil rights lawsuit to spark action by the town. As a filmmaker, he produced pieces for the news magazine Out at the Center, and also produced the award-winning short filmDeflated, a snapshot of a boys gender crisis. from Yale University. During her law school career, she gained experience interning at several nonprofit organizations including the Center for Art Law in Brooklyn, the Anti-Trafficking and Labor Exploitation Unit in London and the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics in Singapore. As we expand access to housing across New York State, I am using all of the resources at my disposal to combat housing discrimination and ensure that all New Yorkers are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect when seeking the housing of their choice, Governor Hochul said. In 1992, he helped to establish and later directed a national testing program at the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. New Director Of Housing jobs added daily. Governor Hochul Announces Expanded Efforts to Combat Housing Discrimination Across New York, As we expand access to housing across New York State, I am using all of the resources at my disposal to combat housing discrimination and ensure that all New Yorkers are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect when seeking the housing of their choice,, Our investment in this crucial program sends a clear message: housing discrimination will not be tolerated here in New York., The Fair Housing Testing Program is administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewals Fair and Equitable Housing Office and expands the pilot testing program established by the office in 2021. I have never worked with a more passionate group of people that will go above and beyond to accomplish the mission.. According to his testimony, the underlying law has three requirements: that . . 2008 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. Legal Fellowwillfairhurst@fairsharehousing.org, When I learned just how important and far-reaching Fair Shares affordable housing impact is, I knew that working there would allow me to do exactly the kind of work that Im passionate about.. This kind of blatant steering, which has been outlawed for more than 50 years, is a continuing stain on the real estate industry and a major contributor in perpetuating segregation in New York.. The panel included Bryan Greene, general deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; Fred Freiberg, executive director of the Fair Housing Justice Center; Diane Levy, senior research associate at the Urban Institute; and Len Albright, assistant professor of sociology and public policy at Northeastern University. More information on Fair Housing can be found on HCRs website: Marlene Zarfes, Executive Director of Westchester Residential Opportunities, said, This work is critical to ensuring a housing market in the Lower Hudson Valley in which every household has an equal opportunity to participate, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, source of income, disability or any other protected class.". HOME appreciates the support of NYSHCR in combating bias in housing, and the promotion of diversity and equality in our communities.. Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center, said, The Fair Housing Justice Center is immensely grateful for this support from HCR and we are eager to get to work on new testing and outreach activities. Defendants unlawful behavior must stop, stated Mr. Goldenberg. In contrast, Eastchester is not very diverse so a residency preference there would effectively reduce access by African American and Latinx potential applicants.". EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE ADVANCING FAIR HOUSING MISSION. eliminate housing discrimination, promote policies and programs that foster open, accessible . More details of the original complaint can be read HERE. The case, Kaseim Tripp, et al. Laura is a Senior Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. Galveston, Texas 77553. The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is pleased to announce its newly elected slate of officers. Member, Email Address, Position. As Legal Coordinator, Madhulikas duties include managing the FHJCs legal docket and coordinating with the FHJCs cooperating attorneys, including non-profit partners and law firms. He joined the organization as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in 2006. He later attended Rutgers Law School. Eastchester jettisoned that program, transferring its vouchers to Westchester County to administer. and M.S. "The FHJC often uses information provided by the public to inform its investigative decisions, and anyone is free to register a complaint of housing . ", Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center, said, The Fair Housing Justice Center is immensely grateful for this support from HCR and we are eager to get to work on new testing and outreach activities. Executive Director. 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. Martina has her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Rutgers University, and her Master in Rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon University. Esm also interned with New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, researching policy pertinent to the Institutes Economic Justice Pillar. Prior to joining FSHC she worked in education as a Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University and as a high school English teacher. . During Esms time at Rutgers, she was a student-intern in the Housing Advocacy Clinic where she worked with homeowners in foreclosure and tenants facing eviction. Contact our . Administrative Assistantpaolareinoso@fairsharehousing.org, Working in the affordable housing industry has taught me so much through the years, I now understand and empathize with those who are struggling to find a safe and decent place to call home.. Fair Housing Justice Center Executive Director in the United States makes about $97,014 per year. She joined the organization in 2021 and works to further our goals on affordable housing advocacy, disaster recovery and climate resilience, and Mount Laurel enforcement. The Fair Housing Justice Center has won similar cases against housing preferences in the towns of Yorktown and Bedford, and the village of Great Neck Plaza. Fair Housing Justice Center: Executive Director. Fair Housing Justice Center. The settlement provides $230,000 for plaintiffs' damages, attorney's fees and costs and requires substantial changes to the rental operations at the apartment complex, located off Jericho Turnpike at 11 Mayfair Garden, Commack, New York. She was promoted to Senior Investigative Coordinator in 2017 and to her current position in 2021. She also conducts targeted outreach and oversees FHJCs F.A.S.T. FHJC testers posing as prospective renters with income solely from employment received prompt responses and were able to schedule apartment viewings easily, whereas testers posing as renters with vouchers were given a stock response and subsequently ignored, corroborating every complainants experience. During his time with the FHJC, he has been involved in special projects including serving as the Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary A Matter of Place, appearing in an episode from the EPIX docu-series America Divided titled A House Divided, and consulting with Newsday on the Peabody award-winning investigative series Long Island Divided and appearing in the accompanying video documentary Testing the Divide. Alaine Dungee, Director of Investigations (she/her) Erin Boggs, Executive Director of Open Communities Alliance, Bryan Greene, Director of Fair Housing Policy for the National Association of Realtors and Fred Freiberg, Executive Director of Fair Housing Justice Center will be our guest speakers.