Fair Housing Task Force Tackles Discrimination In Suffolk

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A new task force convened to tackle housing discrimination in real estate across Suffolk County met for the first time Tuesday. The Fair Housing Task Force was created to "address reports that extensive racial steering is occurring throughout communities in Suffolk," a release said.

The task force, comprised of experts in fair housing and leaders in county and state government, met this week after its initial meeting was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The task force was charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the county’s existing human rights law and providing recommendations to improve and strengthen the law to deter discrimination against people trying to buy a home in Suffolk.

The agenda for the July 14 meeting included a discussion of the group’s mission, goals, and expectations. The task force will hold public hearings to solicit feedback and ideas from residents, experts and advocates, and will provide the legislature and County Executive Steve Bellone a written report of its findings and determinations.

“Reports have exposed how the lingering effects of red-lining have continued to pervade the housing market in Suffolk County, and while our human rights law prohibits housing discrimination, it is clear that the law needs to be strengthened,” said County Legislature Presiding Officer Rob Calarco. “I am eager for the task force to begin its work so that we can tear down systems of discrimination and promote inclusion in Suffolk County neighborhoods.”

The Fair Housing Task Force was established by a resolution that was unanimously approved by the Suffolk County Legislature in December after evidence of steering housing consumers on the basis of race were uncovered in a Newsday report, the release said.

Suffolk County Legislator Samuel Gonzalez serves as the task force’s chair.

“I was extremely disappointed to find out that members of the local real-estate industry may have contributed to race-based housing discrimination and segregation in Suffolk County. This is unacceptable. Where one lives affects relationships, property values, taxes, employment opportunities, and health just to name a few. According to Jessica Owens-Young, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Health Studies at American University, ‘Your neighborhood determines your lifespan by as much as 30 years,’” said Gonzalez. “As the chair of the newly established Fair Housing Task Force, I am deeply committed to strengthening the existing county human rights law in a manner that will deter unscrupulous individuals from engaging in illegal housing discrimination in Suffolk County.”

Bellone put forth a plan to fight back against evidence of "disparate treatment of minority home buyers and communities," a release said.

The plan includes partnering with a qualified organization to conduct housing discrimination investigations, hiring an additional investigator for the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission to examine alleged fair housing violations, convening stakeholders to identify solutions to ensure better compliance of federal and New York state guidelines for real estate agents, and an increased focus on public education and training.

As part of the plan, Bellone said he planned to work with state legislators to amend state law to require additional training for real estate professionals in the concentration of fair housing and discrimination, along with a review of the current curriculum and compliance.

Bellone said he would also work with the State Legislature to develop a comprehensive bill of rights for potential homebuyers.

Diversity advocates spoke out about critical need for the task force.

Real estate inequity on Long Island has meant "not just the segregation of communities — another consequence is the lack of diversity in our schools. That lack of diversity injures our children of all races and socio-economic backgrounds," said Dr. James Banks, coordinator of multicultural affairs at Suffolk County College and chairperson of the Southampton Town Anti-Bias Task Force. "To be responsive we must create a comprehensive approach that addresses the ongoing and multiple disparities faced by minorities," Banks said.