Press Release
Corporate Landlords Are Finding New Ways to Discriminate Against Voucher Holders To Evade Enforcement
Unlock NYC and CSSNY Unveil New Report Exposing
Evolving Tactics of Source of Income Discrimination in NYC Rental Market
New York, NY – (August 8, 2024) Unlock NYC, in collaboration with the Community Service Society of New York (CSSNY), announces the release of a new report, “Denial Tactics: Tracking new forms of source of income discrimination in New York City.” This study delves into the sophisticated and often covert tactics landlords and brokers employ to discriminate against voucher holders, preventing them from securing housing.
Source of income (SOI) discrimination, the practice of denying housing to tenants with rental assistance vouchers, remains one of the most prevalent forms of illegal housing bias in New York City. Since 2021, over 700 New Yorkers have contributed to Unlock NYC’s crowdsourced database by reporting alleged instances of SOI discrimination through Unlock NYC’s free Rights Recorder app. The majority of New Yorkers reporting SOI discrimination via Unlock NYC are families experiencing homelessness, and in particular single moms. SOI discrimination exacerbates homelessness, segregation, and mental health crises among New Yorkers.
In this report, Unlock NYC and CSSNY highlight how landlords and brokers have adapted their practices to fly under the radar and evade enforcement.
Key Findings:
- Corporate Landlords as Primary Offenders: Landlords who own large (20-60 buildings) and very large (61+ buildings) portfolios), are the predominant drivers of source of income (SOI) discrimination. Plus, corporate landlords use evasive techniques and are less likely to incriminate themselves directly than mom and pop landlords.
- Diversified Tactics:The discriminator’s toolbox is vast and diverse - preying on people’s desperation through scams, steering voucher holders away from coveted neighborhoods, and requesting exclusionary credit scores is just a sample of the more than 20 discriminatory practices we cataloged.
- Intersectionality of Discrimination: Voucher recipients often face compounded discrimination based on race, gender, and other protected characteristics. Housing supply constraints, poorly administered voucher programs, and widespread stigma and racism create the perfect storm for discrimination to thrive.
Paris Dickey, a seasoned real estate agent, underscores the persistence of discrimination, stating, “Discrimination never changes because it's a fabric woven into American society and the world at this point. It just morphs.”
Nycole-Lanse Jacques, a voucher-holder and member of the Unlock NYC Leadership Collective, shared her personal struggle with discrimination: “I became homeless in 2022 due to health and financial issues. Despite my background and education, I was treated horribly by agents, the shelter system, and CCHR because of biases and discrimination. If the roles were reversed for the wealthy and the non-marginalized, there would be an uproar in New York City. The Mayor and other NYC entities need to stop criminalizing those in need. Time for change now, and not later! Fund, fund, fund!” Nycole highlights the crucial need for increased funding of the New York City Commission on Human Rights for effective enforcement against discrimination.
She added, "I appreciate the acknowledgment and being able to contribute my experiences to this report, Denial Tactics: Tracking new forms of source of income discrimination in New York City. I believe it’s essential to hear directly from the source in order to push towards change. Unlock NYC has been amazing at doing their research, staying in touch with constituents, and working with organizations to tackle Source of Income Discrimination."
“Source of Income Discrimination has long been an issue in NYC. This report delves into the impact of such discrimination across NYC boroughs, household types, and housing vouchers. It is a pioneering report featuring critical data from Unlock NYC and provides actionable recommendations for both advocates and policymakers,” said David R. Jones, CSS President and CEO.
About Unlock NYC:
Unlock NYC is a fair housing nonprofit majority-led by women of color who have experienced housing discrimination because they use government rental assistance. We build tools that tenants use to combat source of income (SOI) discrimination and transition from homelessness to housing. Our vision is an environment where landlords and brokers fear the social and financial costs of discriminating against voucher holders because tenants are equipped with the paper trail, voice, and connections to create accountability.
About CSSNY:
The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment, opportunities for individuals with conviction histories, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.