Velazquez Introduces Tenant Protection Measure

Washington, DC – On the first day of the 115th Congress, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced legislation aimed at addressing problems in the Section 8 housing program.  The bill, the “Landlord Accountability Act”, aims to protect tenants, particularly those in the Section 8 program, from unscrupulous behaviors by landlords.

“Throughout New York, there are reports of landlords intentionally letting apartments fall into disrepair with the goal of displacing low-income tenants and, then, renting the units for greater profit,” Velázquez said. “This bill would take important steps to protect residents of Section 8 buildings and other properties from these abuses, while holding dishonest landlords to account.”

Media reports have documented instances where landlords neglect Section 8 eligible apartments, causing the units to no longer qualify for a voucher. By removing units from the Section 8 initiative, this practice essentially raises rents on lower income tenants, forcing them from their homes.  To help address this, Velázquez’s legislation would fine landlords who take actions, or neglect to act, with the intention of disqualifying units for federal housing programs. Landlords could be fined up to $100,000 for violations and face a second set of fines of $50,000 with revenue going to aggrieved tenants.

“Unscrupulous landlords understand only one thing -- money,” Velázquez added. “If landlords try to force tenants from their homes, we’re going to hit them where they feel it most– in their pocketbooks.”

Velázquez’s bill would extend other assistance to tenants.  The bill would establish a new Multifamily Housing Complaint Resolution Program to investigate and attempt to resolve disputes through mediation. Complaints received through the new program would be made publicly available.  

With New York facing a growing crisis in affordable housing, the bill would expand the availability of affordable housing by ending discrimination against tenants with a Section 8 voucher. As more than half of New York City renters are now considered “rent burdened”, it is increasingly difficult for working families to secure affordable apartments. The legislation would for the first time ban housing discrimination based on a tenant’s use of a housing voucher.

“You cannot legally discriminate against a potential tenant based on race, religion or gender and this same protection should extend to a potential tenants’ income,” Velázquez added.

Beyond assisting Section 8 voucher holders, the bill would direct federal resources to local programs benefiting other tenants. A new $25 million grant program would steer resources to agencies that provide tenants with assistance and legal advice.   Locally based initiatives like New York City’s Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force could apply for this federal support.

Velázquez’s bill, which she introduced in the House late yesterday, has previously garnered support from a wide range of advocacy groups and other elected officials including: New York City Councilman Carlos Menchaca, District 38 Brooklyn; New York City Councilman Antonio Reynoso, District 34 Brooklyn; New York City Councilwoman Margaret Chin, District 1 Manhattan; New York City Councilman Steven Levin, District 33 Brooklyn; New York City Councilman Brad Lander, District 39 Brooklyn; Brooklyn Community Board 7; Brooklyn Community Board 6; Manhattan Community Board 3; Dealice Fuller, Chair Brooklyn Community Board 1; Make the Road NY; Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A; Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB); Legal Aid; Los Sures Housing Corporation; Association of Neighborhood and Housing Development, Inc. (ANHD); The Black Institute; Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE); The Bowery Alliance of Neighbors; Community Service Society (CSS); Fifth Avenue Committee; Neighbors Helping Neighbors; Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE); Churches United for Fair Housing; Tenants and Neighbors; New York Asian Women's Center; Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation; Grand Street Settlement; New York Communities for Change; Cabrini Immigrant Services; St. Nicks Alliance; National Alliance of HUD Tenants (NAHT); VOCAL-NY; Urban Justice Center; New York Housing Conference; Wyckoff Gardens Resident Association; CAAAV; and Vladeck Houses I & II Resident Association.

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