Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® believes in Equal Opportunity for all. Fair housing laws are a cornerstone of community, in New York and throughout the country. As REALTOR® members we have both the opportunity and responsibility to increase efforts to support diversity and inclusivity in the real estate market. It is our commitment to uphold fair housing laws and offer equal professional service to all in their search of real property.

NAR Fair Housing Declaration


2023 Fair Housing Events:


HGAR’s Sejdi Says Still Work to Do to Ensure Fair Housing

In a national RISMedia report on Fair Housing, Vlora Sejdi, Chair of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors Fair Housing Committee, said that while much has been accomplished in terms of Fair Housing, she noted that there is still work to do and Realtors can serve as activists to champion Fair Housing. The month of April is Fair Housing Month.

Sejdi noted that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed new state-wide laws to further fair housing, including a legislative package that increased the required anti-discrimination/fair housing training for New York real estate professionals. “(HGAR is) a strong supporter of any bill that will help with transparency and fair housing,” says Sejdi. “We’re actually going to Albany on May 2 to lobby (the New York state government).”

Sejdi said HGAR is currently working to see a bill that would create transparency in co-op living applications passed. “You apply to a co-op, and if it’s not consistent with everyone that comes in, you really do have a breeding ground for unfairness,” she says. “There’s no reason why you should treat one applicant differently from the other, so we want to promote transparency. There needs to be a deadline from when you’re interviewed to when you get your response; there should be a reason attached to your denial. Otherwise, how do you know if the reason was fair?”

Read the full RISMedia story

Segregated America

A 'Forgotten History' Of How The U.S. Government Segregated America

In 1933, faced with a housing shortage, the federal government began a program explicitly designed to increase — and segregate — America's housing stock. Author Richard Rothstein says the housing programs begun under the New Deal were tantamount to a "state-sponsored system of segregation."

READ MORE


Gov. Kathy Hochul Headshot

Gov. Hochul Signs Bill Package to Combat Housing Discrimination in Response to Newsday’s Expose

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a legislative package on December 21, 2021, totaling nine bills geared at combating housing discrimination and addressing issues raised in a Newsday expose entitled “Long Island Divided.”

NYSAR Flash Update - New Chapter Amendments and Effective Dates for NYS Fair Housing Laws - 1/12/2022


Man Writing Letter At White Table In Room, Closeup

Love Letters or Liability Letters?

Buyer love letters are a tactic used by some buyers in an attempt to stand out to a seller, especially in hot markets with low inventory and bidding wars. Seemingly harmless, these letters actually raise fair housing concerns... NAR and HGAR weigh in.

A Multiracial Family On The Couch At Home

Create Advertisements with Fair Housing in Mind

Advertising your services to a broad audience helps your business succeed, but intentionally or unintentionally creating discriminatory advertisements can not only harm your business, but also your reputation.


Weclome Mat Nar

Learn How to Respond When Your Client Violates Fair Housing Laws

Real estate agents need to understand how to respond when a client violates fair housing laws. By acting swiftly to separate yourself from and address the discriminatory behavior, you can not only protect yourself from potential liability, but also help prevent fair housing violations..


Fair Housing Declaration

Fair Housing DeclarationFair housing is more than a list of dos and don’ts, rights and penalties, and mandatory continuing education. As stewards of the right to own, use and transfer private property, fair housing protects our livelihood and business as REALTORS® and depends on a free, open market that embraces equal opportunity.
Print a copy of the REALTOR® Fair Housing Declaration and post it in your office.

Click For Fair Housing Declaration


New, New York State Fair Housing Regulations Went into Effect on June 20, 2020

New, New York State Fair Housing Regulations Went into Effect on June 20, 2020

On Dec. 16, 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced new regulations (“New Fair Housing Regulations”), approved by the New York State Real Estate Board, to assist with combating housing discrimination.

The New York State, Department of State, Division of Licensing Services mandates the following effective June 20, 2020:

New York State Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure

  • The disclosure must be provided to prospective buyer, tenant, seller or landlord upon first substantive contact either in-person or electronically and shall apply to ALL real property including vacant land and commercial property.
  • A copy of the disclosure or the electronic communication must be retained for not less than three (3) years.
  • Oral disclosure does not satisfy these requirements.

CLICK HERE FOR NYS HOUSING AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION DISCLOSURE FORM

 

Fair Housing Notice

  • A real estate broker shall display and maintain the Fair Housing Notice at every office and branch office operated by the broker.
  • The Fair Housing Notice shall be prominently displayed in the window of the real estate office and must be visible to the public. If the office is not accessible from the sidewalk or if postings are otherwise prohibited by any other applicable law, then the notice shall be prominently posted in the same location the business license is posted.
  • All websites created and maintained by real estate brokers, associate real estate brokers, real estate salespersons and any real estate team, shall prominently and conspicuously display on the homepage of their website a link to the Fair Housing Notice. The link should appear “above the fold” and should not require a consumer to scroll down the webpage to find the link.
  • The Fair Housing Notice must be displayed and available at all open houses and showings.

CLICK HERE FOR FAIR HOUSING NOTICE

Video Recording and Record Preservation

  • Every entity approved to provide instruction pertaining to fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property, must record video and audio of the instruction.
  • The recording shall be maintained by the approved entity for at least one year following the date of the course.
  • The recording may be subject to audit by the NY State, Department of State.
  • The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America - Author, Richard Rothstein

More Book Recommendations from NAR

 


Artwork used in logo by Catherine Faranda