News. As an Intake & Outreach Specialist, Crystal assists individuals with housing discrimination complaints, and conducts outreach regarding fair housing rights and responsibilities. Meet Fred Freiberg, the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC), a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, promoting policies that foster inclusive communities, and strengthening enforcement of fair housing laws. It gave a preference to residents age 55 as well as toimmediate family of current or former residents, and relatives of town residents. NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by a lawsuit brought by Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) and two individual plaintiffs against the New York Department of Health (DOH) in 2018, . Today, the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) announced a new state court lawsuit against three licensed real estate agents working with the online real estate company Finders NYC and the real estate company itself. Crystal is passionate about housing rights, immigration reform, and expanding language access. In response to the wave of complaints all against the same company, FHJC launched an investigation into Finders business practices. 02.28.23. . The Fair Housing Justice Center, a nonprofit civil rights organization, is dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination; promoting policies that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and strengthening enforcement of fair housing laws. Defendants unlawful behavior must stop, stated Mr. Goldenberg. FHJC testers posing as prospective renters with income solely from employment received prompt responses and were able to schedule apartment viewings easily, whereas testers posing as renters with vouchers were given a stock response and subsequently ignored, corroborating every complainants experience. When prospective renters call Finders NYC, they are instructed to submit additional information via text to be pre-qualified. On disclosing their voucher, most prospective renters receive the same response: To our knowledge, all of our landlords work with vouchers & programs. Craig Waletzko, Community Engagement Coordinator (he/him) DeAnna Eason, Executive Director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal, said, Education and outreach are imperative to the eradication of discrimination in housing and the furtherance of fair housing. She returned to the FHJC in her current role in 2022 after previously working for the organization as an Investigative Coordinator and Senior Investigative Coordinator from 2016 2019. He joined the organization as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in 2006. We are very pleased with this result. Before that, she held Program Director roles at Disability Rights New York, where she supervised teams that protected and advocated for the legal rights of people with disabilities. Prior to joining the FHJC, Alaine worked as a Court Advocate for a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to criminal justice reform. Zoey also previously served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York, Special Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, and a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for theSouthern District of New York. Black Americans have been fighting for freedom from all oppression that has hindered our nation from reaching its full potential and living up to its pledge, One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!. He later attended Rutgers Law School. The mission of the FHJC, a nonprofit civil rights organization, is to eliminate housing discrimination; promote policies and programs that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and strengthen enforcement of fair housing laws in the New York City region. v. Adeline Aryeh, et al., was filed in 2021 in the Eastern District of New York (case no. Prior to joining FSHC she worked in education as a Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University and as a high school English teacher. We look forward to continuing partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal to eliminate discrimination in housing.. Our Team. The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights are partnering to provide a comprehensive '101' level class for rental housing professionals who are new and are seeking an introduction to fair housing, which will be held on: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon (FREE) via Zoom. 212.400.8201. The settlement came nine months after Briccetti denied Eastchesters attempt to dismiss the case, which was initiated in 2016. As National Projects and Investigations Coordinator, Shaye works closely with the National Field Consultant to oversee investigations and training programs across the country, with a special emphasis on lender testing. We also support your proposed $85 million for the creation or . Available as a Mediator, Case Strategist . Director Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity . The successful candidate will be responsible for providing inspirational leadership to the organization to ensure that it continues as a leading champion of fair housing policies in Massachusetts. As Finance Manager, Paul has been overseeing the FHJCs finances since 2012. As an Intake & Outreach Specialist, NAndrea provides direct assistance to individuals who wish to file housing discrimination complaints. Donna has had over 25 years of experience working with human resources management and general bookkeeping. For six years prior to joining Fair Share and attending law school, Will worked with nonprofit legal services organizations in New York City on Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. NAndrea Harrington, Intake & Outreach Specialist (she/her) Obama's HUD Secretary Julian Castro where she was a guiding . Initiative, assisting tenants using rental subsidies to exercise their fair housing rights. Previously, she served as Interim Chief Legal Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center in conjunction with her private consulting practice. Robert Gomes, Evidence Manager (he/him) She is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and Florida Coastal School of Law. Frank is also a musician, playing drums and percussion in various genres of music. "We . He joined the organization in 2019 after working for Philadelphia Works and the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. From his childhood on a rural Nebraskan farm to the negotiating tables in our nation's capitol, Daniel Dawes has combined his lifelong passion for health equity, political acumen and confidence in a collaborative process to create real and powerful changes in the American healthcare system. Michelle de la Uz Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee. Alaine Dungee, Director of Investigations (she/her) He joined the organization as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in 2006. New York State partnered with six nonprofit organizations across the state to deploy undercover testers to act as potential renters and home seekers. degrees. record of achievement and commitment to justice of MFHC. Madhulika Murali, Legal Coordinator (she/hers) He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and Amherst College. Meet Fred Freiberg, the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC), a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, promoting policies that foster inclusive communities, and strengthening enforcement of fair housing laws. Thanks to the support of HCR, people throughout our service area will know that they can come to us for help, and that our programs will get them the help they need.. During her free time, Gabrielle enjoys writing and performing spoken word poetry. A member of the Democratic Party, Clinton became known as a New Democrat, as . She joined the FHJC in 2019, after working on advancing racial equity on Long Island in education and housing at ERASE Racism. Fairhurst initially worked with Fair Share as a legal intern for six months starting in the summer of 2020. Our Fair Housing Testing program complements Governor Hochuls New York Housing Compact, which will proactively address disparities in housing access, exclusionary zoning, and other barriers that impede fair housing goals, and help us build a better and more equitable New York for all.. Andrea Hayward, Investigative Coordinator (she/her) Have a great day! In every case, communication from Finders NYC then ceases, and questions and messages from prospective renters are point-blank ignored. As Evidence Manager, Robs duties include supporting the Investigative Coordinators, preserving and transferring evidence, and maintaining testing equipment. Executive Director of Fair Housing Justice Center. News, 2008 2017 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER, 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. Today's top 7,000+ Director Of Housing jobs in United States. Resources | Ms. Nacinovich is an attorney at a non-prot, representing poor Bronx residents in a wide range of civil matters. Her intellectual interests inspired her to major in Economics at Rutgers University and later pursue her J.D. Eastchester Town Supervisor Tony Colavita said that Eastchester taxpayers wont feel the impact of the settlement as the towns insurance carrier will pay the settlement and the legal costs incurred in fighting the civil rights case. The fair housing testing and outreach partners are: CNY Fair Housing, the Fair Housing Justice Center, Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Long Island Housing Services, and Westchester Residential Opportunities. Britny McKenzie, Policy Manager (she/hers) Fair Housing Justice Center: Executive Director. Also, he moonlights as a personal assistant to a dachshund. NYSDHR's series of fair housing outreach events - Unlocking Doors, Breaking Down Barriers - continues next Tuesday, Jan 31 in Rego . Everyone deserves a home, and Im proud to work somewhere that prioritizes housing as a human right.. Eastchester resident Janet Harrison, who is raising her children in a bi-racial family, said it took a civil rights lawsuit to spark action by the town. Most recently, she worked as a policy consultant and strategist in New Jersey, with clients including Salvation and Social Justice and Newark Community Street Team. "This kind of blatant steering, which has been outlawed for more than 50 years, is a continuing stain on the real estate industry and a major . Testing remains a critical tool for fair housing organizations to use in the fight against discrimination, and we look forward to conducting robust investigations throughout the New York City region. NAndreas hobbies include event planning, interior decorating, and being a foodie. More information on Fair Housing can be found on HCRs website: hcr.ny.gov/feho. Before joining the FHJC in 2022, he spent two years at the Center for Urban Studies at the University at Buffalo, where he was a project assistant focusing on Geographic Information Systems analyses of underdeveloped and segregated communities. They created lanes not only through voting rights, housing, and education, but also through the ability to advocate for my community., ENSURING EQUITABLE DISASTER RELIEF & CLIMATE RESILIENCE, ADDRESSING RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. Prior to that, Elizabeth was the Director of Legal Advocacy at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, where she managed operations for a department representing individuals and families living in poverty in cases relating to housing, health care, and public benefits. Home | Legal Fellowwillfairhurst@fairsharehousing.org, When I learned just how important and far-reaching Fair Shares affordable housing impact is, I knew that working there would allow me to do exactly the kind of work that Im passionate about.. Our investment in this crucial program sends a clear message: housing discrimination will not be tolerated here in New York.. The story started on Nov. 21, 2016, when the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the Town of Eastchester, which is predominantly white, used residency preferences to suppress participation by people of color in the town's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and senior housing developments. In March, Fair Housing Justice Center executive director Fred Freiberg testified in Washington D.C against the termination of the 2015 AFFH rule, saying the rule had existed since the Fair Housing Act of 1968 existed and that Obama's rule merely gave it needed teeth. The settlement provides $230,000 for plaintiffs' damages, attorney's fees and costs and requires substantial changes to the rental operations at the apartment complex, located off Jericho Turnpike at 11 Mayfair Garden, Commack, New York. Since 2014, Eric has worked at New York based nonprofits with a focus on equity in employment and housing. Yes Lee Cheng, Co-founder of the Asian American Coalition for Education Lee Cheng is an attorney and community activist who has fought discrimination against Asian Americans for almost three decades. View Job description, benefits and responsibilities. Paola is an Administrative Assistant at Fair Share Housing Center. His current project focuses on affordable housing and inclusionary zoning. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and Oberlin College. Settled: Greenburgh to pay $9.5 million to settle Fair Housing Act case, Eastchester: Residency preferences at issue in housing case. Today, the Fair Housing Justice Center . Fair Housing Justice Center Executive Director in the United States makes about $97,014 per year. Our Work | Ms. Rosario was also asked if she had children and wanted them to play with neighbors, which the agent admitted was one of the reasons for referring the couple away from Midwood, according to the lawsuit. She has been a member of the FHJC Board since 2019. He previously served as the FHJCs Executive Director for nine years before transitioning to his current position in 2021. Diane L. Houk, a lawyer representing the Fair Housing Justice Center, and also its former executive director, said the requirement of three reference letters from existing owners "sounds neutral . Adam holds a B.A. She is involved in all aspects of the Centers advocacy including litigating before the Appellate Division and testifying at Legislative hearings. Testing remains a critical tool for fair housing organizations to use in the fight against discrimination, and we look forward to conducting robust investigations throughout the New York City region. U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti approved the settlement, in which Eastchester agreed to dismantle the preference system embedded in its zoning code. Her involvement with the FHJC stems partly from her own familys experience with disability discrimination. Faced with powerful obstructions to affordable housing and social justice, they never back down and always remain determined to take one more step forward no matter what the resistance.. Our Work | Evan Dash, Investigative Coordinator (he/him) He is also co-founder of the magazine Next City, which the New York Times described as a subtle plan to change the world, and a non-resident fellow at the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. Donna joined Fair Share Housing Center in 2014 as an Administrative Assistant. Zoey is a Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. The Fair Housing Justice Center has won similar cases against housing preferences in the towns of Yorktown and Bedford, and the village of Great Neck Plaza. Gabrielle is part of the FHJCs Investigative Coordinator team, designing and leading housing discrimination investigations and performing systemic research. Shayes fair housing career began in 2013 in Ohio at the Fair Housing Contact Service in Akron where she worked as the FHIP PEI Program Manager. Apr 2020 - Nov 20211 year 8 months. Administrative Assistantdonnagomez@fairsharehousing.org, My inspiration, and what I love the most about working at FSHC, is the people. In her wide-ranging career working to vindicate the rights of underserved people, Elizabeth has fought to eliminate discrimination through litigation, advocacy, training, and outreach. New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, Housing is an essential human right and we must continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that all New Yorkers have a fair and equal opportunity to live in the communities of their choice. HCR has finalized contracts with six organizations to conduct testing in 48 counties including Nassau and Suffolk, Westchester, Albany and Schenectady counties, as well as the five boroughs of New York City. External web sites operate at the direction of their respective owners who should be contacted directly with questions regarding the content of these sites. She joined the organization in 2021. Ashley is a Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. In the past, Tanushree has worked for the City of Bostons Housing Innovation Lab on local ADU policy and for the United States Congress Joint Committee on Taxation. Prior to joining the FHJC in 2021, she served as the Masiyiwa-Bernstein Fellow at the Community Justice Project in Miami, where she focused on eviction defense and racial justice work. This kind of blatant steering, which has been outlawed for more than 50 years, is a continuing stain on the real estate industry and a major contributor in perpetuating segregation in New York.. Find out if you meet the requirements! Logout; . Fair Housing Justice Center. Working in the nonprofit space has inspired her passion for service and social equality. The program also provides continuity to the Eliminating Barriers to Housing New York testing and outreach program launched by the New York Office of the Attorney General in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners. Zoey is a Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. Rob holds a BFA in acting from New York University. Esm also interned with New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, researching policy pertinent to the Institutes Economic Justice Pillar. I have never worked with a more passionate group of people that will go above and beyond to accomplish the mission.. 2d. | 212.400.8201, Home | In contrast, Eastchester is not very diverse so a residency preference there would effectively reduce access by African American and Latinx potential applicants.". Senior Staff Attorneylauradenker@fairsharehousing.org, I am inspired by the persistent scrappiness of all my coworkers, from the ones working behind the scenes running the organization to those making headlines. The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is pleased to announce its newly elected slate of officers. Prior to joining FSHC, she worked for 15 years as a Property Manager in Low Income Housing Tax Credit Properties. Today, the Fair Housing Justice Center . What I didnt know back then was how much of an impact FSHC was having on a national scale, translating its knowledge and experience at the state level to work on housing justice across the country.. Staff Attorneyrachellokken@fairsharehousing.org, I was immediately attracted to FSHCs advocacy work at the state and federal levels, specifically their legal and policy efforts to dismantle racial and economic barriers to affordable housing and disaster recovery relief.. Dr. Yvette D. Wilson-Barnes, Michelle Sullivan-Brady, Ramsey Chamie). Fred, who co-founded the FHJC in 2004, is recognized as one of the nations leading experts on the use of testing as an investigative tool for enforcing civil rights laws. From 1999 2002, Fred directed the fieldwork in two national research projects conducted by the Urban Institute involving testing a study of mortgage lending practices and the national Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). eliminate housing discrimination, promote policies and programs that foster open, accessible . Evan has also worked as a fair housing tester at Housing Opportunities Made Equal. Eastchester jettisoned that program, transferring its vouchers to Westchester County to administer. ", Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center, said, The Fair Housing Justice Center is immensely grateful for this support from HCR and we are eager to get to work on new testing and outreach activities. Will Fairhurst is a Legal Fellow at Fair Share Housing Center. She has been privileged to contribute her time and talents to various community development and rights organizations over the years such as The New Voices Project, working in schools with Theatre for a New Audience; The Watts Village Theater Company, co-directing their first production at the WLCAC and Theaters Against War, formed to protest the war in Iraq. The FHJC, Unlock NYC, and other groups are working together and using the latest technology to root out hidden discrimination.. Caroline Peattie is the Executive Director of Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) and has been with the organization since 1996. Brooklyn, New York, United States. She also worked on research projects related to criminal justice and public health . He joined the FHJC in 2022. Mr. Freiberg is one the nation's leading experts on the use of undercover testing as an investigative tool to [] They created lanes not only through voting rights, housing, and education, but also through the ability to advocate for my community.. The case stemmed from an investigation, jointly funded by ERASE Racism and the Fair Housing Justice . 21-cv-646). Fair Housing Project (Legal Aid of NC) Homeowner & Tenant Rights; Affordable Housing; . Outside of work, Crystal enjoys building up her vinyl collection, cooking for friends and family, road trips, and nature walks. Several of the complaints were referred to the FHJC by the nonprofit advocacy group Unlock NYC. Harris Rand Lusk: Executive Director, Fund for Public Housing. Shaye holds a masters degree in social work from the University of Akron and a bachelors degree in social work from Cleveland State University. Driven by a lawsuit brought by Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) and two individual plaintiffs against the New York Department of Health (DOH) in 2018, the State of New York has issued new regulations that address decades of discrimination against people who use wheelchairs. Senior Staff Attorneyjoshuabauers@fairsharehousing.org, FSHCs work is so inspiring because each time new affordable homes are built, and families get to move in, we get to see real world examples of our efforts to make New Jersey fairer.. She was promoted to Senior Investigative Coordinator in 2017 and to her current position in 2021. He began working with the FHJC in 2017 as Office Manager before assuming his current role in 2019. Governor Hochul Announces Expanded Efforts to Combat Housing Discrimination Across New York, As we expand access to housing across New York State, I am using all of the resources at my disposal to combat housing discrimination and ensure that all New Yorkers are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect when seeking the housing of their choice,, Our investment in this crucial program sends a clear message: housing discrimination will not be tolerated here in New York., The Fair Housing Testing Program is administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewals Fair and Equitable Housing Office and expands the pilot testing program established by the office in 2021. She recently graduated from Yale Law School where she was a member of the Community and Economic Development Clinic, and chair of the Yale Urban Law and Policy Society. Fred Freiberg, National Field Consultant (he, him) Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center, said, "The Fair Housing Justice Center is immensely grateful for this support from HCR and we are eager to get to work on new testing and outreach activities. An East End premiere showing of Norman Lear's A House Divided featuring undercover Fair Housing investigations and discussion with documentary participant, Fair Housing Justice Center's nationally renowned Executive Director Fred Freiberg, will cap the evening. As part of the FHJCs team of Investigative Coordinators, Frank conducts research and leads and structures housing discrimination investigations. Evans hobbies include hiking and traveling. News. Eric is Deputy Director at Fair Share Housing Center. She holds a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and an A.B. As Director of Development, Eric oversees all of the FHJCs fundraising, grant writing, and reporting. Though the town opted out of the Section 8 program, Eastchester maintained the towns broad senior housing residency preferences, under which the senior apartments at Elide Manor were built. 317-644-0673, ext. Prior to joining the FHJC in 2022, she worked at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and for an immigration law firm in New Jersey. Her association with the FHJC began when she and her husband contacted the organization after facing suspected racial discrimination in Brooklyn. NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by a lawsuit brought by Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) and two individual plaintiffs against the New York Department of Health (DOH) in 2018, the . Fair Housing Rights and Remedies. Fred was a founder and the first Executive Director of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council from 1977-1981. 2008 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. Elizabeth joined the FHJC in 2021 as Executive Director. In her hopes to build community between Rutgers Law students and New Jersey organizers and to help shape a legal system that serves everyday people rather than the corporate status-quo, she co-founded a chapter of Peoples Parity Project at Rutgers. The Charter of the OAS was signed in Bogot in 1948 and entered into force in . Paul Carlson, Financial Manager (he/him) Chhaya CDC: Associate Director of Programs, Asset Building & Small Business . Dr.Yvette D. Wilson-Barnes, Treasurer Ramsey Chamie, and Secretary Michelle Sullivan-Brady were elected to two-year terms at the most recent meeting of the FHJC Board of Directors. Rob worked as a tester with FHJCs Acting for Justice program from 2008 to 2020 before joining the staff in his current position. It would have been much more defensible if it was limited to only Eastchester residents.. We maintain that these residency preferences are unlawful because they discriminate, based on race, in a community like Eastchester that is predominantly white.. Rachel is involved in all aspects of the Centers legal advocacy work. In her role as an Investigative Coordinator, Andrea designs and leads housing discrimination investigations and performs systemic research. 2009) (holding that and M.S. The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world's oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., from October 1889 to April 1890. As a Rutgers law student, Bauers received the Mary Philbrook student public interest award, the Deans Pro Bono Publico Award for Exceptional Service, and the Eve Biskind Klothen Pro Bono Distinction Award. The FHJC conducted a testing investigation confirming the discrimination, and joined the couple in a lawsuit that led to a settlement. They alleged that Redfin's minimum home price policy violated the federal Fair Housing Act by discriminating against sellers and buyers of homes in communities . About | . Zoey also previously served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York, Special Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, and a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the. FHJCs assistance in this case was supported with funding from a Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grant received from theFair Housing Initiatives Program(FHIP) administered by theU.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD). Adam is Executive Director at Fair Share Housing Center. The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is a nonprofit civil rights organization that serves all five boroughs of New York City and seven surrounding New York counties. 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