Mayor Adams secures largest civil rights settlement in NYC, combats housing discrimination

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) announced the largest civil rights settlement in the city’s history.

The settlement, aimed at protecting New Yorkers from housing discrimination, involves Parkchester Preservation Management and includes $1 million in civil penalties and the allocation of 850 apartments for housing voucher holders.

Mayor Eric Adams remarked, “Today, our administration is using the full power of the legal system to tell New York City tenants: we’ve got your back. While we are tackling a generational housing shortage and affordability crisis, our administration is also going after the bad actors who prey on New Yorkers in the housing market. With a record settlement and 850 homes set aside to ensure voucher holders have access to affordable housing units, this announcement is a win for the everyday New Yorkers in search of safe, stable housing, and a warning sign for any predatory group trying to harm tenants.”

The settlement is the largest ever for a housing discrimination case under the NYC Human Rights Law. It addresses discriminatory practices by Parkchester Preservation Management, which included imposing minimum income requirements and non-refundable deposits that effectively barred voucher holders from obtaining housing.

City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg emphasized, “The city must use all tools in its toolbox to protect access to housing for New Yorkers. Robust enforcement of our housing discrimination laws is a critical tool not only to secure justice for those denied access to rental units because of their source of income, but to deter future violators. This landmark resolution, announced by the New York City Commission on Human Rights, puts the entire real estate industry on notice: Housing discrimination will not be tolerated in this city.”

Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer added, “Today’s announcement sends a message: Source-of-income discrimination is illegal, and if New York City finds evidence of discrimination, there will be consequences. From record-breaking production of affordable housing, to our ‘City of Yes’ plan to open up housing opportunities across the city, to aggressive enforcement of our housing laws, our administration is delivering for New York City tenants.”

The settlement also includes significant provisions to ensure compliance and prevent future discrimination. These measures include mandatory training for real estate professionals and ongoing monitoring by CCHR.

CCHR Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement Katherine Carroll stated, “Access to safe and stable housing is key for New Yorkers to thrive. This settlement is the culmination of a long journey toward justice for New Yorkers who experience source of income discrimination and a message to housing providers throughout New York City. There is no room for housing discrimination in our city. CCHR will continue to work tirelessly to enforce the law and reach meaningful resolutions aimed at restoring those impacted by discrimination.”

The case against Parkchester Preservation Management revealed that the company’s policies kept voucher holders from qualifying for apartments, despite their ability to pay through subsidies like Section 8 and CityFHEPS. This practice resulted in only a small fraction of the 6,000 rental units being occupied by voucher holders.

New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams, chair of the Committee of Civil and Human Rights, commented, “I commend Mayor Eric Adams and CCHR for their historic achievement in securing the largest civil rights settlement in our city’s history. This landmark $1 million penalty and the setting aside of 850 apartment units for housing voucher holders sends a powerful message that source of income discrimination has no place in New York City. The CCHR’s action exemplifies our city’s unwavering commitment to protecting the right of all New Yorkers to safe and fair housing.”

Other city leaders and advocates also expressed their support for the settlement and its implications for fair housing practices in New York City.

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams stated, “Today’s announcement is a major victory for tenants’ rights in New York City. I commend the administration and CCHR for this historic settlement, which sends a clear message that discrimination will not be tolerated, and that New Yorkers regardless of income source have a fair chance at securing safe, affordable housing.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson remarked, “We are grateful to Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Commission on Human Rights for securing the largest civil rights settlement in our city’s history. Today’s announcement sends a clear message to unscrupulous landlords that they will be held accountable for discriminatory practices that unfairly target individuals using Section 8 and CityFHEPS housing vouchers. It is imperative that every New Yorker has fair and equitable access to affordable, safe, and quality housing, and our city has just reaffirmed that fundamental right.”

New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar added, “As a civil rights lawyer, I dedicated my legal career to combatting all forms of discrimination. Today, we make historic strides in ending housing discrimination with a record $1 million settlement for discrimination against housing voucher holders. Our CityFHEPS and other vouchers are an important tool to uplift families out of homelessness and allow them to stand on their own two feet. It is also sound fiscal policy, saving us at least $1,500 per week for each family that no longer needs to stay in the shelter system. By ending discrimination against voucher holders, we will ensure a housing market that welcomes all New Yorkers.”

Organizations dedicated to housing justice also praised the settlement.

Elizabeth Grossman, executive director and general counsel of the Fair Housing Justice Center, noted, “Parkchester Preservation Management’s agreement to eliminate minimum income requirements for tenants with rental subsidies is a critical step forward. This settlement puts us on a path toward opening access to thousands of apartments in the Bronx and to reducing the threat of homelessness for New Yorkers.”

Aaron Carr, founder and executive director of Housing Rights Initiative, commented, “We at Housing Rights Initiative applaud the announcement of this historic settlement. By imposing such a large penalty and securing stable homes for 850 households with vouchers, the Commission on Human Rights and the New York City Mayor’s Office are sending a clear message to all landlords and brokers that discrimination on the basis of an applicant’s source of income is unacceptable in this city, and violators like Parkchester Preservation Management will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”

Amy Blumsack, director of organizing and policy at Neighbors Together, stated, “Today’s settlement is a victory for all voucher holders. It shows that when resources and will are aligned, discriminatory landlords will receive more than a slap on the wrist; justice will be served and landlords who break the law will experience consequences that match their size and the scope of discrimination. Neighbors Together applauds CCHR for their work, and we look forward to them holding offenders accountable and securing restitution for voucher holders in a meaningful way.”

Shams DaBaron, a housing and homelessness advocate, concluded, “As someone who has built a bridge between voucher holders and landlords who care, it’s horrible to hear stories of multitudes of voucher holders who are unable to get housed because a property owner is discriminating against them. It’s a horrible thing to assume that because someone has a voucher, they will make a bad tenant. Thankfully, Mayor Adams and his administration along with advocates who fight against voucher discrimination have successfully pursued those bad actors and are bringing justice for so many in need.”