Attorney General Letitia James has announced nearly $1 million in grants to combat housing discrimination in New York's Capital Region. The $970,000 in funding will support legal efforts to ensure equal housing opportunities for all residents, regardless of race, class, or background.
According to the Office of the New York State Attorney General website, the grants will be allocated to United Tenants of Albany, Inc. (UTA) and the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC), who will lead efforts to fight housing discrimination. The funding will establish a fair housing testing and enforcement program in the region, which has been without a Qualified Fair Housing Organization (QFHO) until now. The program aims to address discrimination that deepens social and economic inequalities.
"Access to housing is a basic human right, but too often, discriminatory practices and high prices prohibit countless New Yorkers from securing stable housing and further exacerbates the housing crisis," James said in a statement from the release. She views the funding as a key step to improving housing opportunities, protecting tenants, and holding landlords accountable. The initiative is also expected to increase affordable housing options in the region.
The FHJC will receive $450,000 to help UTA establish the new program and provide technical support and training. FHJC will also collaborate with Syracuse-based CNY Fair Housing to extend the program's reach. Canyon Ryan, UTA's Executive Director, highlighted the organization's shift from advocacy to enforcement. Michele Cortese, Interim Executive Director of FHJC, emphasized the need for a full-service fair housing organization in the region to address housing discrimination and racial segregation.
While New York City has seen progress under James' leadership, this expansion into the Capital Region is a significant step to ensure fair housing across the entire state. The program is funded by the Anti-Discrimination in Housing Fund, which is supported by licensing fees and fines from the real estate industry.
