In recognition of the month of April as National Fair Housing Month, Westchester County Government is highlighting the work of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) towards implementing and enforcing the County’s Fair Housing Law across Westchester. Fair Housing is a right for every person in every city, town and village, and the County’s Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination based on 17 protected categories. These categories include but are not limited to: race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, source of income, citizenship status and status as a domestic violence victim.    

Please watch this video with Tejash Sanchala, Executive Director of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission - Eliminating Discrimination.

Latimer said: “Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, a national law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing based on race, religion, gender and several other categories. Westchester County’s Fair Housing Law allows everyone to have the freedom of choice – and be free from discrimination – in deciding where they want to live. We commend the Human Rights Commission for their increased efforts to end housing discrimination, and raise awareness of fair housing rights in April and throughout the year.”

Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission Tejash Sanchala said: “Every person has the right to live in housing that is free of discrimination.  Fair housing is critical because where a person lives will dictate their access to clean air, clean water, green parks, grocery stores, schools, employment opportunities and transportation.  Although it has been 54 years since the Federal Fair Housing Act was passed, we still have much to do to combat housing discrimination. The Human Rights Commission places a priority on enforcing the County’s Fair Housing Law and educating the public about their rights and obligations under the Fair Housing Law.”

Since 2008, the HRC has had a federal partnership with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to investigate housing discrimination complaints in Westchester County. The HRC also conducts robust education and outreach programming to the community on a variety of fair housing issues. In a timely and proactive measure, the HRC’s jurisdiction was expanded to include protections for discriminatory harassment incidents that occur between neighbors.

The Commission will be celebrating Fair Housing Month by offering educational programs to local building departments, multiple community and not for profit organizations, and real estate brokerage offices. The Commission is also planning a virtual Fair Housing 101 program to the public during April. Recently, the Commission created a Fair Housing campaign on buses and bus shelters on sexual harassment in housing and emotional support animals in housing.  The campaign was seen over 28 million times.  The Commission is also looking forward to working with the City of White Plains on its fair housing campaign involving an interactive public art display.

We encourage the public to contact the Human Rights Commission if they have experienced or witnessed housing discrimination in Westchester County. Learn how to file a complaint with the Commission here.