In contrast, Eastchester is not very diverse so a residency preference there would effectively reduce access by African American and Latinx potential applicants.". Fair Housing Project (Legal Aid of NC) Homeowner & Tenant Rights; Affordable Housing; . 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. He is also a long-suffering fan of the New York Mets. As Evidence Manager, Robs duties include supporting the Investigative Coordinators, preserving and transferring evidence, and maintaining testing equipment. Her education nurtured her passion for social justice and led her into the world of legal non-profits. He later attended Rutgers Law School. Prior to joining FSHC she worked in education as a Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University and as a high school English teacher. As the FHJCs first-ever Director of Investigations, Alaine manages all investigative activities and supervises investigative staff. NAndreas hobbies include event planning, interior decorating, and being a foodie. 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. Testing remains a critical tool for fair housing organizations to use in the fight against discrimination, and . Available as a Mediator, Case Strategist . NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by a lawsuit brought by Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) and two individual plaintiffs against the New York Department of Health (DOH) in 2018, the . Long Island City, NY 11101 Testing remains a critical tool for fair housing organizations to use in the fight against discrimination, and we look forward to conducting robust investigations throughout the New York City region. A member of the Democratic Party, Clinton became known as a New Democrat, as . 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.. 212.400.8201. Shaye Belcon, National Projects and Investigations Coordinator (she/her) 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. 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 the. Resources | The program also provides continuity to the, Eliminating Barriers to Housing New York testing and outreach program. New York State partnered with six nonprofit organizations across the state to deploy undercover testers to act as potential renters and home seekers. What I didnt know back then was how much of an impact FSHC was having on a national scale, translating its knowledge and experience at the state level to work on housing justice across the country.. She has been a fierce housing advocate her whole career. He joined as Director of CommunityEngagement in 2012. He has been involved with the FHJC since he began working as a tester in 2009, and in his current role since 2019. He worked from 1998 to 2006 as managing attorney of the landlord-tenant and public benefits units at the Camden office of South Jersey Legal Services. Adam holds a B.A. He has litigated at the New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Division and worked on state and federal policy issues including very-low-income housing in high opportunity communities, Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation, and statewide fair share allocation. I have never worked with a more passionate group of people that will go above and beyond to accomplish the mission.. 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. from Temple University in Religion. settled a federal fair housing case over the town's opposition to affordable housing, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 2008 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. In her hopes to build community between Rutgers Law students and New Jersey organizers and to help shape a legal system that serves everyday people rather than the corporate status-quo, she co-founded a chapter of Peoples Parity Project at Rutgers. We look forward to continuing partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal to eliminate discrimination in housing., This page is available in other languages. 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. Consulting Disaster Recovery Attorney davidrammler@fairsharehousing.org, FSHC, since its inception, has fought well above its weight class and driven the development and maintenance of affordable, racially integrated, rental residences in neighborhoods of opportunity for scores of thousands of families.. President Anne Nacinovich, Vice President Rev. She has been a member of the FHJC Board since 2019. Several of the complaints were referred to the FHJC by the nonprofit advocacy group Unlock NYC. Rev. The outreach funding will provide an enhanced opportunity for us to increase awareness of fair housing rights and responsibilities, especially the strong protections that New York State has put in place to counter source-of-income discrimination, and to provide training to tenants, home seekers, and housing providers. 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. The programs outreach and training will focus on fair housing protections including for those with arrest and conviction histories. Our Work | Prior to joining the FHJC in 2022, she worked at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and for an immigration law firm in New Jersey. . Unlock NYC is a tech nonprofit majority-led by women who have experienced housing discrimination due to having rental assistance vouchers. All of the attorneys are with the law firm ofLatham & Watkins LLP. Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director/General Counsel (she/her) 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.. 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. HOME appreciates the support of NYSHCR in combating bias in housing, and the promotion of diversity and equality in our communities., 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. | 212.400.8201, Home | failed to design and construct a rental . We are very pleased with this result. Adam is Executive Director at Fair Share Housing Center. 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. Ms. Rosario was also asked if she had children and wanted them to play with neighbors, which the agent admitted was one of the reasons for referring the couple away from Midwood, according to the lawsuit. Fairhurst initially worked with Fair Share as a legal intern for six months starting in the summer of 2020. Director Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity . Andrea Hayward, Investigative Coordinator (she/her) 2008 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. Josh is a Senior Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. HOME appreciates the support of NYSHCR in combating bias in housing, and the promotion of diversity and equality in our communities.. 302, Long Island City, NY 11101 Senior Staff Attorneyjoshuabauers@fairsharehousing.org, FSHCs work is so inspiring because each time new affordable homes are built, and families get to move in, we get to see real world examples of our efforts to make New Jersey fairer.. News. Zoe is a person who uses drugs, a mom, a wife, and has led harm reduction programs in Maine for 15 years. 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. 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. She has experience in family law and has served both veteran and youth communities. This is a free webinar but for internet security purposes, registration is required. Fred Freiberg, National Field Consultant (he, him) This funding allows us to assist in enforcing the very necessary protections afforded under New York State law. Testing remains a critical tool for fair housing organizations to use in the fight against discrimination, and we look forward to conducting robust investigations throughout the New York City region. 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. I try to never forget the legacy of civil rights giants who created a space for me to exist. Fair Housing Justice Center: Executive Director. 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. The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced today that they have filed an amended complaint alleging that the Chicopee Housing Authority and its Executive Director, Monica Blazic, violated federal law by discriminating against residents based on race, national origin and disability. Laura is a Senior Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. The outreach funding will provide an enhanced opportunity for us to increase awareness of fair housing rights and responsibilities, especially the strong protections that New York State has put in place to counter source-of-income discrimination, and to provide training to tenants, home seekers, and housing providers. Updates. He is a founding FHJC Board member and former employee of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department. From his childhood on a rural Nebraskan farm to the negotiating tables in our nation's capitol, Daniel Dawes has combined his lifelong passion for health equity, political acumen and confidence in a collaborative process to create real and powerful changes in the American healthcare system. As a Rutgers law student, Bauers received the Mary Philbrook student public interest award, the Deans Pro Bono Publico Award for Exceptional Service, and the Eve Biskind Klothen Pro Bono Distinction Award. The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is pleased to announce its newly elected slate of officers. Eric holds a masters degree in Urban Policy from Hunter College, and a bachelors degree in history from SUNY Plattsburgh. The complaint alleged discrimination based on race and religion. News. The mission of the Fair Housing Justice Center (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. Name York County Detention Center Suggest Edit Address 1675 York Highway York , South Carolina , 29745 Phone 803-628-3077 Website yorkcountysheriff. Legal Fellowtanushreebansal@fairsharehousing.org, I love the opportunity to work in my home state of New Jersey and make a difference in the lives of low-income residents throughout the state. The Executive Director will oversee MFHC's programs and activities, lead the staff team, build We maintain that these residency preferences are unlawful because they discriminate, based on race, in a community like Eastchester that is predominantly white.. Staff Attorneyrachellokken@fairsharehousing.org, I was immediately attracted to FSHCs advocacy work at the state and federal levels, specifically their legal and policy efforts to dismantle racial and economic barriers to affordable housing and disaster recovery relief.. 9am - 12pm. The defendants actions fundamentally prevent those New Yorkers with the most dire need for housing from obtaining safe and secure homes for themselves and their families. As Royal Examiner reported in late February, along with current council-appointed Town Planning Commission member Josh Ingram, political newcomer Jackson announced his November ru With this funding, we will be able to conduct more fair housing testing and outreach to our region and beyond. About | 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. He joined the organization in 2015 as the Inaugural Maida Public Interest Fellow. At that meeting the establishment of the International Union of American Republics was approved. As part of the resolution of the case, the couple has received monetary payments totaling over $50,000. Today, the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) announced a new state court lawsuit against three licensed real estate agents working with the online real estate company Finders NYC and the real estate company itself. She was promoted to Senior Investigative Coordinator in 2017 and to her current position in 2021. Our Fair Housing Testing program complements Governor Hochuls New York Housing Compact, which will proactively address disparities in housing access, exclusionary zoning, and other barriers that impede fair housing goals, and help us build a better and more equitable New York for all.. The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is pleased to announce its newly elected slate of officers. Frank is also a musician, playing drums and percussion in various genres of music. The Fair Housing Justice Center, a nonprofit civil rights organization, is dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination; promoting policies that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and strengthening enforcement of fair housing laws. Director of Land Usekatherinepayne@fairsharehousing.org, I learned about Mount Laurel and FSHC in graduate school and was inspired by the immense impact the organization has had in New Jersey. A senior advertising executive, Ms. Sullivan-Brady has been a Board member since 2013. When not working, hes an avid cyclist and reader of American history. He began working with the FHJC in 2017 as Office Manager before assuming his current role in 2019. 317-644-0673, ext. With contagious hope and a non-partisan process, the widely respected health equity and policy expert . 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.. From 1999 2002, Fred directed the fieldwork in two national research projects conducted by the Urban Institute involving testing a study of mortgage lending practices and the national Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). He joined the FHJC in 2022. She has been privileged to contribute her time and talents to various community development and rights organizations over the years such as The New Voices Project, working in schools with Theatre for a New Audience; The Watts Village Theater Company, co-directing their first production at the WLCAC and Theaters Against War, formed to protest the war in Iraq. 2009) (holding that Moss Justice Center in York County includes the York York County cities sent a letter to the sheriff asserting they had no . Obama's HUD Secretary Julian Castro where she was a guiding . Paul Carlson, Financial Manager (he/him) Madhulika Murali, Legal Coordinator (she/hers) During her free time, Gabrielle enjoys writing and performing spoken word poetry. Mr. Freiberg is one the nation's leading experts on the use of undercover testing as an investigative tool to [] Alex is the Director of Advocacy and Communications at Fair Share Housing Center. Defendants unlawful behavior must stop, stated Mr. Goldenberg. She joined the FHJC in 2021. They created lanes not only through voting rights, housing, and education, but also through the ability to advocate for my community., ENSURING EQUITABLE DISASTER RELIEF & CLIMATE RESILIENCE, ADDRESSING RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. 02.28.23. Martina is a Communications Strategist at Fair Share Housing Center. He holds a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University at Buffalo and a bachelors degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo where he majored in geography and minored in urban studies and political science. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. They created lanes not only through voting rights, housing, and education, but also through the ability to advocate for my community.. Mr. Tripp and Ms. Rosario continued searching for housing, avoiding predominately white neighborhoods for fear of encountering discrimination again, and eventually bought a home in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. In response to the wave of complaints all against the same company, FHJC launched an investigation into Finders business practices. Session 2: 10:00 - 11:00am . The policy . FHJC Executive Director, Fred Freiberg, explains the overt and . She is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and Florida Coastal School of Law. Colativa, who called the settlement, no big deal, said the town settled the case on advice of theinsurance company attorneys. Attorney Ramsey Chamie will be continuing his service as Treasurer. 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. 2008 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. Prior to joining FSHC, she served as Senior Policy Counsel for the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Not a single tester with a voucher was able to schedule an apartment viewing or receive any further information from Finders NYC after disclosing their voucher. Only by overcoming housing discrimination can we free Long Islanders to live their best lives.. Though the town opted out of the Section 8 program, Eastchester maintained the towns broad senior housing residency preferences, under which the senior apartments at Elide Manor were built. More details of the original complaint can be read HERE. Outside of work, she is a classical pianist and vocalist and enjoys crocheting. Prior to joining the FHJC, Alaine worked as a Court Advocate for a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to criminal justice reform. Rachel is involved in all aspects of the Centers legal advocacy work. Colavita lamented having to eliminate the housing preference. Prior to her association with FHANC, she was the Executive Director of Sentinel Fair Housing in Oakland. According to his testimony, the underlying law has three requirements: that . Shocked and upset by this blatantly discriminatory treatment, the couple contacted the FHJC for assistance. Caroline Peattie is the Executive Director of Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) and has been with the organization since 1996. I am honored to continue working with the exceptional FHJC staff and my colleagues on the board in this new role, said Ms. Nacinovich. from Dartmouth College. As Director of Development, Eric oversees all of the FHJCs fundraising, grant writing, and reporting. Eric also founded Planting Seeds of Hope, a non-profit focused on youth development and education, and he served as the PA Clergy Outreach Director for Obamas 2008 Presidential Campaign. 302, Long Island City, NY 11101 Rob worked as a tester with FHJCs Acting for Justice program from 2008 to 2020 before joining the staff in his current position. She joined the Board in 2010 while serving as Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Union Theological Seminary. As Community Engagement Coordinator, Craig manages the FHJCs communications and social media presence, and designs and conducts fair housing trainings and workshops. "If that residency preference can be shown to have a discriminatory effect on protected populations, it is likely unlawful under the Fair Housing Act," said Freiberg. Prior, she held positions at the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, Drug Policy Alliance, the Maryland Governors Office of Crime Control & Prevention, and the Coalition for Juvenile Justice. 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. He wanted to keep the preferences. FHJCs assistance in this case was supported with funding from a Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grant received from theFair Housing Initiatives Program(FHIP) administered by theU.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD). Strategic Consulting in Employment, Disability and Civil Rights Matters. She is deeply passionate about the impact of social injustice in areas such as housing, education, and healthcare. Communications Strategistmartinamanicastri@fairsharehousing.org, I am inspired by the sheer number of affordable homes that Fair Share has fought to build. The Fair Housing Justice Center found that one Black applicant had waited a dozen years on the towns Section 8 list while it took a white town resident less than a year to receive a voucher. Alex completed her Bachelor of Science in Family Science and her Juris Doctor at the University of Maryland. This funding allows us to assist in enforcing the very necessary protections afforded under New York State law. Her involvement with the FHJC stems partly from her own familys experience with disability discrimination. Executive Director. His interest in fair housing began during college while studying segregation, white ight, suburbanization, and the civil rights movement of the 20th century. Gabrielle is part of the FHJCs Investigative Coordinator team, designing and leading housing discrimination investigations and performing systemic research. 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. Our Team. We look forward to continuing partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal to eliminate discrimination in housing.. The Fair Housing Justice Center won $635,000 from the town of Eastchester in the settlement of a housing discrimination case. Esm Devenney is a New Jersey Housing Justice Corps Fellow at Fair Share Housing Center. He has extensive experience in affordable housing litigation having represented FSHC in hundreds of cases. All home seekers have the right to decide for themselves what makes a neighborhood comfortable or desirable, added FHJC Executive Director Elizabeth Grossman. Britny has a masters degree in social work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, specializing in community organizing, planning and development, public policy, and aging. Marc Jahr Senior Advisor, Forsyth Street Advisors. He continues to be an advocate for civil rights and social justice. Driven by a lawsuit brought by Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) and two individual plaintiffs against the New York Department of Health (DOH) in 2018, the State of New York has issued new regulations that address decades of discrimination against people who use wheelchairs. Brooklyn, New York, United States. Gabrielle Vera, Investigative Coordinator (she/her) Landau has served as Executive Director of both agencies since June 2008. As an Intake & Outreach Specialist, NAndrea provides direct assistance to individuals who wish to file housing discrimination complaints. Dr.Yvette D. Wilson-Barnes, Treasurer Ramsey Chamie, and Secretary Michelle Sullivan-Brady were elected to two-year terms at the most recent meeting of the FHJC Board of Directors. Zoey is a Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. Linda Rousseau Co-Chair, Peace & Justice Task Force, First Unitarian Church of All Souls. . Robert Gomes, Evidence Manager (he/him) View Job description, benefits and responsibilities. 21-cv-646). Name & Title He then joined the organization in 2022 as a Toll Public Interest Fellow. Paola is an Administrative Assistant at Fair Share Housing Center. 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. Esm also interned with New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, researching policy pertinent to the Institutes Economic Justice Pillar.