BILL NUMBER: S1130
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to protections for
renters using certain housing subsidies or public assistance
 
PURPOSE:
To prohibit housing providers from refusing to rent to or impose differ-
ential terms on individuals receiving rental supplements from public,
private, or non-profit assistance that will be paid directly to the
housing provider
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 specifies that it is unlawful for housing providers to refuse
renting or discriminate based on an individual's source of income when
such income has been approved by the housing subsidy, non-profit, or
public assistance provider in accordance with program rules and regu-
lations.
Section 2 establishes the effective date of the bill
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In the 2019 budget, the legislature banned discrimination against
renters based on source of income, granting tenants with housing vouch-
ers and other rental support options the freedom to lease apartments
within their budget. This was a significant step forward in fighting
housing segregation and empowering tenants to choose housing that aligns
with their lifestyle.
Despite these changes, new forms of discrimination have hindered these
laws from having their full potential impact. Property managers are
asking for income and credit checks on the full amount of rent, even
though rent is guaranteed through vouchers. Vouchers and subsidies
ensure the payment of rent, which renders these checks redundant and
unnecessary. This is a new way of extending old discrimination.
This bill serves as an extension of existing rental protections by
addressing situations where individuals use housing subsidies from
public, private, and non-profit assistance, with a focus on preventing
discrimination based on an individual's credit score or source of
income. By banning this practice, while still ensuring income checks for
any tenant share of rent, this bill gives property managers the tools
they need to ensure rent will be paid while taking away the ability to
discriminate based on source of income. This will ensure that individ-
uals qualifying for assistance are not unfairly denied housing opportu-
nities.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.7923-A / A.9556-A (Solages)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

Statutes affected:
S1130: 296 executive law