Democrats in the state Legislature will hold another public hearing this week on allegations of housing discrimination on Long Island, where a report from Newsday claimed that people of color were treated differently during interactions with real estate brokers.
The Senate has now, in a rare move, issued subpoenas to certain individuals and organizations who were invited to testify at a previous hearing, but declined that offer.
The subpoenas will compel those parties to testify, whether they like it or not. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said that testimony will help lawmakers craft new legislation to address housing discrimination.
“With their participation, as well as the insight from fair housing experts, the Senate Majority will be better informed as we work to end racist and biased housing practices throughout New York State,” Stewart-Cousins said.
The first hearing on the issue, held last December, resulted in legislation approved in July that penalizes brokers for violating the state’s human rights laws.
Under the new law, brokers who are found to have discriminated against people of color could have their licenses revoked or suspended, and could be subject to a fine. The law is intended to avoid situations where brokers and agents avoid showing people certain properties.
That law was sponsored by State Sen. Jim Guaghran, a Democrat from Long Island.
“This next hearing will bring these real estate companies -- who had the audacity to blow off our first hearing -- before the public to answer for their practices,” Gaughran said. “Discrimination has no place in New York."
The investigation by Newsday — conducted over three years — found evidence that real estate brokers and companies were steering people of color away from predominantly white neighborhoods when they were seeking to buy a new home.
The second hearing will be held Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. and will be conducted virtually.
