New York Human Rights Law Section 296, amended in 2019, bars Suffolk County landlords from refusing to rent based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans benefits, and child support. The Suffolk County Human Rights Commission accepts complaints.
Executive Law Section 296(2-a) makes it unlawful for any Suffolk County landlord with three or more units to refuse a prospective tenant solely because the tenant pays rent using a Housing Choice Voucher, SSI, SSDI, veterans benefits, alimony, child support, or any other lawful source of income. Suffolk County Code Chapter 528 (Human Rights) parallels the state law and authorizes the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission to investigate complaints. Advertising no Section 8 or no programs is itself a violation. Landlords may still apply uniform credit and income-multiple criteria, but the voucher portion must be excluded when calculating income thresholds.
Refusing a tenant solely for using a voucher or other lawful income source can result in state Division of Human Rights penalties up to $10,000 per violation, plus damages, attorney fees, and mandatory training under Suffolk Chapter 528.
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See how Calverton's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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