Residents rallied at county headquarters in White Plains Monday, May 6, demanding the Board of Legislators pass a law prohibiting landlords from denying tenancy based on source of income, including Section 8 housing vouchers.
At the meeting attended by 20 proponents of the law, legislators decided to delay a vote for two weeks to give themselves more time to study it.
County Executive Robert P. Astorino proposed the law to ensure the county receives $7.3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Before reinvigorating the measure, Astorino vetoed similar legislation in 2010. Approving “source of income” legislation is part of the county”™s 2009 anti-discrimination settlement with HUD.
HUD has threatened to withhold the grant money if the law is not approved. Per the settlement, the county is required to build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 mostly white municipalities by 2015.
Marlene Zarfes, director of fair housing for Westchester Residential Opportunities urged legislators to approve the law.
“Right now, doors are unreasonably closed,” Zarfes said. “This law prevents landlords from turning away an entire class of home seekers. Good responsible people receive these vouchers and it affords them a chance to live in decent housing. Any one of us could find ourselves experiencing hardship.”
Source of income covers Section 8, social security benefits, veteran”™s benefits and other forms of assistance, including child support and alimony.
“This law needs to be passed as soon as possible,” said Dennis Hanratty, executive director of Mount Vernon United Tenants. “There should be no more delays.”
Another resident, David Schwartz, said landlords could still deny tenants based on their references, credit or rental history.
“This is a win-win for all involved,” Schwartz said. “Don”™t let landlords tell you differently.”
Valerie Pierson said everyone deserves the right to fair and affordable housing.
“When a landlord does not take Section 8, he is telling you that you don”™t deserve a place to live,” Pierson said.
Recently, the New York-based U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against Astorino, claiming that he violated terms of the settlement by vetoing the legislation in 2010. The court rejected Astorino”™s argument that the legislation would violate home rule, and could come into conflict with the zoning codes of Westchester municipalities.
