Senate Majority Announces Joint Public Hearing On Housing Discrimination

The Senate announced that the Senate Standing Committees on Housing, Consumer Protections, and Investigation and Government Operations, will hold a joint public hearing on housing discrimination on Long Island. This hearing is a direct response to a Newsday investigation that revealed racial discrimination and evidence of unequal treatment by real estate agents. Senate Committee Chairs, Brian Kavanagh, Kevin Thomas, and James Skoufis will co-chair this hearing on Long Island. The hearing will take place on Thursday, December 12 at 10:00 AM at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Nassau County.

“There is no place in New York for discrimination and predatory practices. The Newsday investigation uncovered a disturbing and unacceptable situation that is denying New Yorkers fair housing opportunities,” Senator Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “The Senate Democratic Majority will be looking into this, and I applaud Senators Brian Kavanagh, James Skoufis, and Kevin Thomas for quickly organizing their committees to set up a hearing on this issue. This hearing will help the Senate Majority address this situation and these unfair housing practices over the coming Legislative Session.”

Senator Brian Kavanagh, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing said, “Housing discrimination is unacceptable and illegal, and the results of Newsday's investigation are alarming and deserve immediate attention. I look forward to working with my colleagues to investigate the situation and identify steps we can take to prevent discrimination and protect all New Yorkers' rights to fair access to housing.”

Senator James Skoufis, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations said, “The disturbing results of this three-year examination by Newsday makes it glaringly clear that the State must respond to this situation and immediately prioritize accountability. What’s happening on Long Island is likely happening in other parts of the state as well and our Senate will not stand by while New Yorkers are discriminated against in the very place they call home. I look forward to co-chairing the upcoming hearing with my colleagues and shining a light on what exactly happened and what our next steps must be.”