Schneiderman
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement on Monday with the owner, management company and rental agency of a residential apartment complex in Glenville over allegations of discrimination.
Schneiderman's office filed a lawsuit in July 2010 alleging that Shady Lane Realty discriminated against families with children and African-Americans in the renting of apartments at Shady Lane Apartments.
As part of the settlement, Shady Lane Realty, which owns the 444-unit residential apartment complex, and Socha Management Inc., the complex's management company, are required to implement and develop a non-discrimination policy, notify the public of the non-discrimination policy, require fair housing training for all rental agents, provide periodic reports to Schneiderman's office and pay a $22,500 penalty to the state.
"Depriving people of housing because they have children or because of their race is not only illegal, it is unconscionable," Schneiderman said. "Landlords who violate our state's fair housing laws will be held accountable. My office will not tolerate people being told where they can and cannot live based on their familial status, race, or any other unlawful reasons, and will continue to work to ensure equal access to housing for all New Yorkers."
Schneiderman alleged that there were differences in treatment between individuals with children and those without children. He alleges that families without children were shown available apartments while families with children were told there was a waiting list for apartments.
In addition, Schneiderman alleged that the defendants maintained a long-standing marketing campaign advertising the appeal of the complex as "mature living" and "adult luxury living," discouraging families with children from applying. Schneiderman also alleged that African-Americans were treated differently from whites when asking about available apartments.