HGAR and Westchester Residential Opportunities Launch Two-Part Series for Fair Housing in Action
April 15, 2025
Part 1: Navigating the Source of Income Discrimination Set for April 24
White Plains, NY
(April 2025) The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR’s) Fair Housing Committee along with Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) is kicking off Fair Housing Month with the launch of a two-part series for Fair Housing in Action.
The first presentation, “Navigating the Source of Income Discrimination,” features a panel of experts from around New York state who will discuss the essentials of avoiding source of income discrimination and also offer updates on the state of the law. It will be held virtually on Thursday, April 24, from 10:30 AM to noon. Registration is open to HGAR members and non-members by visiting www.hgar.com/events.
The panel will also explore recent issues with the interpretation of the law, enforcement highlights and compliance strategies for handling source of income in housing deals.
The event is geared toward real estate professionals, landlords and community advocates and will include identifying sources of income discrimination, key legal updates on source of income laws, best practices to avoid discrimination in housing transactions and promotion of equal opportunities for all renters.
“This is a great opportunity for not only the Realtor community but potential homeowners, renters, landlords and sellers to get a comprehensive look at this important topic,” said Freddimir Garcia, HGAR DEI Officer. “We have put together an exciting and informative program to set the tone for Fair Housing Month.”
Panelists include: Brent Meltzer, Chief of the Housing Protection Office, New York State Attorney General; Zach Zeliff, Chief of Staff, Senator Rachel May; and Carole McCann, Broker/Owner, Hudson Heritage Realty.
Andrew Smith, WRO Deputy Executive Director, will be moderating the panel. Smith has been part of WRO’s fair housing department since 2017 and has coordinated both fair lending and fair housing testing programs for WRO. Prior to joining WRO, he was a corporate partner with the law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York City, specializing in leveraged buyouts and other mergers and acquisitions. Smith holds a BA from Brown University and a JD from Columbia Law School.
The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® is a not-for-profit trade association consisting of over 13,000 real estate professionals doing business in Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties. It is the second largest REALTOR® Association in New York, and one of the largest in the country.
The program is designed to give property owners greater visibility into water quality and access to financial assistance if contamination is detected.
New York State is continuing its push to strengthen local industries and regional economies with a new investment aimed at Long Island’s growing aquaculture sector.
While fair housing discussions have focused heavily on compliance, equity, and legal obligations, this campaign shifts the lens toward public understanding and narrative.
For real estate professionals, this represents a meaningful shift in how liability is assessed, focusing less on intent and more on outcomes.
The agencies stated that the rescission is intended to reduce regulatory burden, streamline housing production, and expand access to affordable housing.
The recertification underscores Westchester County’s role as a regional leader in climate action.
