New York's 2019 Human Rights Law amendment and Buffalo Code Ch. 218 prohibit landlords from refusing tenants because their rent comes from Section 8 vouchers, SSI, veterans benefits, or other lawful non-wage income sources.
NY Executive Law §296 (Human Rights Law) was amended in 2019 to add lawful source of income as a protected class, complementing Buffalo Code Ch. 218 anti-discrimination protections. Buffalo landlords cannot advertise no-vouchers, refuse Section 8 applicants, or impose higher income thresholds for voucher holders. The NY Division of Human Rights and the Buffalo Commission on Citizens' Rights and Community Relations both accept complaints. Damages include actual harm, civil penalties up to $10,000, and attorney fees. The rule is critical for Buffalo's Section 8 voucher holders served by Belmont Housing Resources and BMHA (Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority).
Advertising no-vouchers, refusing Section 8 applicants, or applying disparate income screens to voucher holders triggers state civil penalties up to $10,000 plus actual damages and attorney fees.
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo tenants are protected from landlord harassment under NY Real Property Law and the city's anti-discrimination ordinance (Ch. 218), with intentional in...
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are administered by BMHA and Belmont Housing Resources, with landlords required to accept vouchers under NY source-...
See how Buffalo's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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