NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced April 26 that the Division of Civil Rights has issued a warning letter to roughly 30 property managers in the state about posting advertisements that, he says, discourage applicants from paying with federal Section 8 assistance vouchers.
“Otherwise eligible renters and buyers who pay for their housing with the help of government assistance are not second-class citizens," Porrino said. "Like anyone else, they have a right to live where they choose and to be treated equally -- as long as they are paying with a lawful source of income. The issue really is that simple. Absolute equality in housing is the law in New Jersey, and we will hold accountable any landlord or property seller who fails to honor it.”
The division’s warning letter was mailed April 26 and urges the managers to “cease and desist” such alleged conduct immediately. In each letter, the division included a copy of the unlawful advertisements.
“Simply put, it’s illegal to reject housing applicants solely because they rely on government assistance to help make ends meet, and it’s against the law to post an advertisement saying you intend to do so,” said division director Craig T. Sashihara.