The Brighton Neighborhood Association held a community meeting at the Brighton Beach Library to discuss the new bill on Section 8, which mandates that landlords must not discriminate against a tenant who is on this program.
According to Pat Singer, executive director of the BNA, the bill actually “enhances” the existing discrimination law covering race and religion. “In essence if someone is on SSI, Disability or Section 8 they cannot be turned away from an apartment because of their economic status.”
As of now, the Human Rights Commission will be the agency in charge of enforcing the law. The apartment must fit the guidelines, however, of Section 8. Human Rights cannot extend someone’s voucher that is running out. If Human Rights takes your case, then you can notify Section 8 that you are planning litigation and it will be up to this agency whether or not an extension is permitted.
The Brighton beach Library is located at 16 Brighton First Road at Brighton Beach Avenue. For more about BNA and the services it offers, call Singer at 718-891-0800.
