fair housing justice center executive director

Dr. Yvette D. Wilson-Barnes, Michelle Sullivan-Brady, Ramsey Chamie). The settlement, which was approved on May 28, comes shortly after the town of Greenburgh settled a federal fair housing case over the town's opposition to affordable housing on Dromore Road in Edgemont for $9.5 million. Shocked and upset by this blatantly discriminatory treatment, the couple contacted the FHJC for assistance. 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. Her intellectual interests inspired her to major in Economics at Rutgers University and later pursue her J.D. from Dartmouth College. Ian Wilder, Executive Director of Long Island Housing Services, said, Long Island Housing Services is grateful to New York State for supporting much needed fair housing work. 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 . "Wheelchair users have every right to reside in adult care facilities, and . Defendants discriminatory conduct violated multiple state, federal, and local statutes, and we were glad to be able help the clients attain a measure of justice and vindicate their rights, stated attorney Zack Zaharoff,who along with attorneys Blake Denton, Angela Dunay, Faust Petkovich, and Scott Kanchuger represented the plaintiffs. 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!. Fred was a founder and the first Executive Director of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council from 1977-1981. As an Intake & Outreach Specialist, Crystal assists individuals with housing discrimination complaints, and conducts outreach regarding fair housing rights and responsibilities. "The FHJC often uses information provided by the public to inform its investigative decisions, and anyone is free to register a complaint of housing . 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.. Deputy Directorericdobson@fairsharehousing.org, This work is personal to me because my ancestors believed in this country. She has been a fierce housing advocate her whole career. During her law school career, she gained experience interning at several nonprofit organizations including the Center for Art Law in Brooklyn, the Anti-Trafficking and Labor Exploitation Unit in London and the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics in Singapore. 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.. 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. It gave a preference to residents age 55 as well as toimmediate family of current or former residents, and relatives of town residents. Westchester County, meanwhile, remains under a 2009 federal consent order to build 750 units of affordable housing to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit over the county's failure to affirmatively further fair housing. 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. 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. External web sites operate at the direction of their respective owners who should be contacted directly with questions regarding the content of these sites. "It's been an arduous process to end many years of discrimination against people with mobility . 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. Only by overcoming housing discrimination can we free Long Islanders to live their best lives.. PHILADELPHIA Mayor Jim Kenney today announced that Rue Landau, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) and Fair Housing Commission (FHC), will leave City government effective Friday, December 18, 2020. Alaine Dungee, Director of Investigations (she/her) degrees. 21-cv-646). 302, Long Island City, NY 11101 Eric also founded Planting Seeds of Hope, a non-profit focused on youth development and education, and he served as the PA Clergy Outreach Director for Obamas 2008 Presidential Campaign. He later attended Rutgers Law School. 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. Racially discriminatory policies and practices in land-use, zoning and the operation of affordable housing program still present formidable barriers to housing choice and reinforce residential racial segregation, said Freiberg. In addition to his FHJC experience, he has over 20 years of experience with New York-based nonprofits including fair housing testing, door-to-door canvassing, environmental education, computer programming, database management, and bookkeeping. As Legal Coordinator, Madhulikas duties include managing the FHJCs legal docket and coordinating with the FHJCs cooperating attorneys, including non-profit partners and law firms. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts Management from the State University of New York College at Purchase where he received the Senatorial Appreciation Award in recognition of outstanding service as Chairman of the Public Arts Council and School of the Arts Senator. Executive Directoradamgordon@fairsharehousing.org, I am inspired by how we ensure that our work does not stop at legal or policy victories, butinstead follows through to make sure homes get built, laws get enforced, and peoples lives actually change.. When the case began, Eastchester maintained resident and non-resident lists for Section 8 housing vouchers that pay a portion of an income-eligible tenants rent in the private housing market. He holds a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University at Buffalo and a bachelors degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo where he majored in geography and minored in urban studies and political science. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1992, and as attorney general of Arkansas from 1977 to 1979. Colativa, who called the settlement, no big deal, said the town settled the case on advice of theinsurance company attorneys. According to his testimony, the underlying law has three requirements: that . . The outreach funding will provide an enhanced opportunity for us to increase awareness of fair housing rights and responsibilities, especially the strong protections that New York State has put in place to counter source-of-income discrimination, and to provide training to tenants, home seekers, and housing providers. As a filmmaker, he produced pieces for the news magazine Out at the Center, and also produced the award-winning short filmDeflated, a snapshot of a boys gender crisis. The defendants actions fundamentally prevent those New Yorkers with the most dire need for housing from obtaining safe and secure homes for themselves and their families. 302 302, Long Island City, NY 11101 About | from Temple University in Religion. She began her professional career working in corporate human resources and transitioned to the social services field in search of something more fulfilling. Apr 2020 - Nov 20211 year 8 months. With contagious hope and a non-partisan process, the widely respected health equity and policy expert . Attorney Ramsey Chamie will be continuing his service as Treasurer. Dear friends of the FHJC, As I conclude my first year as Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC), New York City's only full-service fair housing organization, I'm hoping . It was a long fight, said Fred Frieberg, executive director of the Fair Housing Justice Center. Since joining the FHJC as an Investigative Coordinator in 2015, she has coordinated hundreds of testing investigations, including complex systemic investigations, and testified in several legal cases. Communications Strategistmartinamanicastri@fairsharehousing.org, I am inspired by the sheer number of affordable homes that Fair Share has fought to build. Our investment in this crucial program sends a clear message: housing discrimination will not be tolerated here in New York.. Frank Oleszko, Investigative Coordinator (he/him) With this funding, we will be able to conduct more fair housing testing and outreach to our region and beyond. failed to design and construct a rental . In her current role as Office Manager, Lucille is responsible for the FHJCs administrative and office operations and assists the Executive Director in the development and implementation of personnel, procurement, and office policies and procedures. 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.. Fair Housing Justice Center. News, 2008 2017 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER, 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. Adam holds a B.A. Have a great day! In every case, communication from Finders NYC then ceases, and questions and messages from prospective renters are point-blank ignored. She has worked with various non-profit organizations who provide housing to low and very low income communities. 2008 2022 FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER | 30-30 Northern Blvd., Ste. launched by the New York Office of the Attorney General in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners. Director of Racial Justice Policyjameswilliams@fairsharehousing.org, I try to never forget the legacy of civil rights giants who created a space for me to exist. IT Director for the Center for Congregations, a Lilly Endowment funded project serving congregations in Indiana with resource . 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.. Testing remains a critical tool for fair housing organizations to use in the fight against discrimination, and . U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti approved the settlement, in which Eastchester agreed to dismantle the preference system embedded in its zoning code. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $2.2 million expansion of New Yorks Fair Housing Testing Program designed to root out discrimination in home rental and sale transactions. She has a longstanding history of service as pro bono counsel in the areas of child advocacy, musical arts, and domestic violence. Fair Share Housing Center is a nonprofit advocacy organization that uses legal, policy, and community-building strategies to fight for housing justice in New Jersey and beyond. | 212.400.8201, Home | We also support your proposed $85 million for the creation or . Outside of work, she is a classical pianist and vocalist and enjoys crocheting. The FHJC provides a full-service fair housing program to New York City and the seven surrounding New York counties of Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester. Esm Devenney is a New Jersey Housing Justice Corps Fellow at Fair Share Housing Center. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University, where she double majored in Black studies and Womens and Gender studies. Prior to joining the FHJC in 2022, she was a pathways trainee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she worked in the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity division. Mr. Tripp and Ms. Rosario continued searching for housing, avoiding predominately white neighborhoods for fear of encountering discrimination again, and eventually bought a home in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. She has experience in family law and has served both veteran and youth communities. Her time as a community organizer in central New Jersey informs her passion for affordable housing and tenants rights advocacy. 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. Resources | Shaye holds a masters degree in social work from the University of Akron and a bachelors degree in social work from Cleveland State University. Her association with the FHJC began when she and her husband contacted the organization after facing suspected racial discrimination in Brooklyn. As part of the FHJCs Investigative Coordinator team, Evan conducts research and leads and structures housing discrimination investigations. Prior to joining FSHC, Ashley served the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office in Boston, MA as a student prosecutor. Elizabeth Grossman, Executive Director/General Counsel (she/her) Donna joined Fair Share Housing Center in 2014 as an Administrative Assistant. Esm comes to Fair Share as a South Jersey native and a graduate of Rutgers Law School. 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. Prior to joining the FHJC in 2022, NAndrea worked for several years at Riseboro Community Partnership, a Brooklyn nonprofit dedicated to homelessness prevention, where she held various positions including Intake Specialist. The programs outreach and training will focus on fair housing protections including for those with arrest and conviction histories. He attended Fayetteville State University in North Carolina where he received both his B.A. Fair Housing Justice Center: Executive Director. His fellowship through the Rutgers University School of Law focused on redevelopment and affordable housing. We maintain that these residency preferences are unlawful because they discriminate, based on race, in a community like Eastchester that is predominantly white.. 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. Contact our . at Yale. 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 town had to be forced to do the right thing, which is no surprise, she said. Colavita lamented having to eliminate the housing preference. Alex is the Director of Advocacy and Communications at Fair Share Housing Center. Brooklyn, New York, United States. The Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) is pleased to announce its newly elected slate of officers. Eickemeyer, an attorney, said the lawsuit should have been resolved much quicker. In her role as an Investigative Coordinator, Andrea designs and leads housing discrimination investigations and performs systemic research. Defendants unlawful behavior must stop, stated Mr. Goldenberg. Our Work | Tanushree Bansal is a Legal Fellow at Fair Share Housing Center. and Unlock NYC who shared information about the discriminatory practices we are challenging here," said FHJC Executive Director Elizabeth Grossman. 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. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and Amherst College. Assisting the Executive Director in all aspects of FSHC daily operations and strategic planning, Eric also focuses on development, advocacy and communication, policy, and coalition building in order to bring about racial, economic and social integration. Communities that impose and enforce discriminatory residency preferences and limit housing opportunities based on race or national origin invite costly legal challenges under fair housing laws.. At that meeting the establishment of the International Union of American Republics was approved. Zoey is a Staff Attorney at Fair Share Housing Center. The program also provides continuity to the, Eliminating Barriers to Housing New York testing and outreach program. She joined the organization in 2021. Mr. Freiberg is one the nation's leading experts on the use of undercover testing as an investigative tool to [] As housing justice intern, she is responsible for assisting the Education and Outreach Department with fair housing education and outreach activities. Center for Congregations. The Executive Director will oversee MFHC's programs and activities, lead the staff team, build The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan welcomed Fred Freiberg, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Justice Center in New York, as the guest speaker at our charity event on Thursday, March 21st in Ann Arbor. and J.D. The complaint alleged discrimination based on race and religion. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE ADVANCING FAIR HOUSING MISSION. Previously, she spent eight years advocating for adults with developmental disabilities and training direct support professional staff at YAI National Institute for Disabilities. 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. News. 2d. 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.. Previously, he had worked in fundraising and development at ICD-Institute for Career Development, and has worked with The Doe Fund, helping residents of homeless shelters to find housing and employment. Prior to her association with FHANC, she was the Executive Director of Sentinel Fair Housing in Oakland. As Community Engagement Coordinator, Craig manages the FHJCs communications and social media presence, and designs and conducts fair housing trainings and workshops. 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. Settled: Greenburgh to pay $9.5 million to settle Fair Housing Act case, Eastchester: Residency preferences at issue in housing case. The outreach includes advertisements and social media messaging, training events, and professional education classes. During college, Gabrielle interned and worked with the NJ State Legislature and NJ Essex County Prosecutors Office. Initiative, assisting tenants using rental subsidies to exercise their fair housing rights. Martina is a Communications Strategist at Fair Share Housing Center. She is a former chair of the Civil Rights Committee at the New York City Bar Association and a committed advocate of civil rights. Rob worked as a tester with FHJCs Acting for Justice program from 2008 to 2020 before joining the staff in his current position. 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. She is involved in all aspects of the Centers legal work. 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. 302, Long Island City, NY 11101 | 212.400.8201 . Eastchester jettisoned that program, transferring its vouchers to Westchester County to administer. Nevertheless, Freiberg said that residency preferences would most likely not be allowed under the Fair Housing Act in a suburb like Eastchester. New Director Of Housing jobs added daily. Esm also interned with New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, researching policy pertinent to the Institutes Economic Justice Pillar. This is a free webinar but for internet security purposes, registration is required. During his time with the FHJC, he has been involved in special projects including serving as the Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary A Matter of Place, appearing in an episode from the EPIX docu-series America Divided titled A House Divided, and consulting with Newsday on the Peabody award-winning investigative series Long Island Divided and appearing in the accompanying video documentary Testing the Divide. 02.28.23. Paul has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in Environmental Studies and also studied accounting and database management at NYU. But brokers should take note: were on to you. Name & Title Everyone deserves a home, and Im proud to work somewhere that prioritizes housing as a human right.. Staff Attorneyashleylee@fairsharehousing.org, As an NJ native, I am all too familiar with our lack of affordable housing and the racial inequality and inequity that ties into it. Zoe Brokos (she/her) is the executive director of the Church of Safe Injection, a comprehensive harm reduction program that operates in Southern and Central Maine. In 1992, he helped to establish and later directed a national testing program at the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. Robert Gomes, Evidence Manager (he/him) The FHJC conducted a testing investigation confirming the discrimination, and joined the couple in a lawsuit that led to a settlement. As part of the resolution of the case, the couple has received monetary payments totaling over $50,000. Their work as Executive Committee members has been invaluable during my transition as a new Executive Director, and Im very pleased that they will all be continuing on as Board members. She added, Im looking forward to working closely with our new officers and the entire Board as the FHJC continues our mission to make fair housing a living reality for all.. Rachel is involved in all aspects of the Centers legal advocacy work. Michelle de la Uz Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee. Moss Justice Center in York County includes the York York County cities sent a letter to the sheriff asserting they had no . 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. Eric Petersen, Director of Development (he/him) During her law school career, Alaine interned for the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) in Washington DC as well as the Orange County States Attorneys office in Chelsea Vermont. As Finance Manager, Paul has been overseeing the FHJCs finances since 2012. 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. Crystal is passionate about housing rights, immigration reform, and expanding language access. HOME appreciates the support of NYSHCR in combating bias in housing, and the promotion of diversity and equality in our communities.. About | She joined the organization in 2021 and is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School. 488 followers. His career in fair housing spans more than forty-five years during which time he has testified in dozens of fair housing cases, published fair housing articles, and received numerous awards for his accomplishments in the fair housing field. "To get a Section 8 voucher in the City of New York, there'sa residency preference, but it is lawful because New York City is very diverse. Scout Field: Will Eastchester ever get to runsoccer field promised by Westchester? Housing Opportunities Made Equal will introduce Elisabeth Risch as its new executive director at its annual fair-housing luncheon on April 13. . UofL launches center focused on Industry 4. Resources | He is a founding FHJC Board member and former employee of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department.

fair housing justice center executive director 2023