LIBOR and our REALTOR® members are committed to ensuring that no one is denied buying or renting the home of their choice or impeded from renting or selling their home based on their racial identity or the color of their skin. We know that REALTORS® must be agents of positive change in the housing market.
LIBOR provides these tips and resources so that consumers know their rights and can report discrimination in housing based on race and color should it happen to them.
Examples of Discrimination Based on Race or Color
Discrimination can take many forms. Sometimes it is direct and easy to identify. Other times, it occurs without the intent to discriminate, but the harm to people of color is real. Please refer to the Overview section to learn more.
Knowing some of the common ways discrimination based on race and color might manifest in a home-buying or -renting situation can help ensure all people are treated fairly.
In the search process, you are:
- Subjected to more stringent background requirements.
- Only shown apartments in areas where other people of color live.
- Only shown apartments in a poorer neighborhood, even though you can afford something more expensive.
- Required to submit a photograph of you or your family with your rental or sales application.
- Informed that, because the community is gentrifying, “You may not be comfortable here.”
- Told apartments are no longer available when you visit the on-site office even though the building has a sign posted advertising apartments for rent or for sale.
- Provided different terms, rates, rules, conditions, or fees based on your race or color.
- Told the amount of the monthly rent is higher when you visit the rental office than the amount told to you on the phone.
In the living situation, you are:
- Subjected to racist comments about the food you cook or music you listen to.
- Told someone cannot visit you because of their race or color, and/or your visitors are harassed because of their race or color.
- Denied a repair request because of your race or color.
Get Help
Here is where you can report concerns about a possible incident of discrimination based on race or color:
- New York State Division of Human Rights
- Nassau County Human Rights Commission
- New York City Commission on Human Rights (for Queens County residents)
- Suffolk County Human Rights Commission
- Fair Housing Justice Center
- Long Island Housing Services, Inc.
The lists were adapted from resources provided by CNY Fair Housing and New York City Fair Housing.