Fair Housing 101 HPD NYC, 2023 ( pdf file)

"Fair Housing 101 – Intro to Fair Housing for Community Boards" (HPD NYC, 2023) is a comprehensive presentation aimed at educating NYC Community Boards on the history, legal framework, current challenges, and action steps related to fair housing. Here's a structured summary:

Purpose:

To explain what fair housing is, why it matters, how systemic housing discrimination has evolved, and how NYC is working to advance equity through fair housing practices.

Key Sections & Takeaways:

1. What is HPD?

• NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) ensures housing quality, preserves and builds affordable housing, and supports strong, diverse communities.

2. What is Fair Housing?

• Fair housing means equal access to housing regardless of race, ethnicity, income, disability, gender, etc.

• It's rooted in laws like the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing.

3. History of Discrimination in Housing

• Redlining, racially restrictive covenants, urban renewal, and blockbusting systematically excluded communities of color.

• Discrimination influenced how housing was planned, built, sold, leased, and financed.

4. Barriers Today

• Persistent segregation and lack of affordability

• Discrimination based on:

  • Source of income (e.g., housing vouchers)

  • Disability

  • Criminal justice history

• Uneven distribution of affordable housing

• Health and financial disparities due to disinvestment

5. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)

• A federal mandate requiring cities to address segregation and proactively advance housing equity

• NYC’s initiatives include neighborhood planning, affordable housing development, and voucher support

NYC’s Fair Housing Goals (via Where We Live NYC):

1. Combat complex discrimination

2. Facilitate equitable development

3. Preserve affordable housing & prevent displacement

4. Improve rental assistance effectiveness

5. Expand options for people with disabilities

6. Make equitable investments across neighborhoods

Community Boards’ Role:

• Advocate for investment

• Engage in land use decisions (ULURP)

• Educate and connect residents

• Promote fair housing goals locally

Legal Protections (NYC + NYS):

• Beyond federal protections, NYC law includes:

  • Source of income

  • Immigration status

  • Gender identity

  • Domestic violence survivor status

Reporting & Resources:

• Discrimination can be reported via 311 (ask for Human Rights)

• Organizations: NYC Commission on Human Rights, Fair Housing Justice Center, Human Rights Initiative

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