RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP ROBINSON, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA -ISAAC, DIAZ AND MERANTE:
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RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE CITY’S COMMITMENT TO FAIR HOUSING LAWS AND POLICIES
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WHEREAS, the City of Yonkers supports Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Federal Fair Housing Law) and the New York State Human Rights Law; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City to ensure equal opportunity in housing and prevent discrimination on the basis of race; creed; color; national origin; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; military, veteran or disabled veteran status; sex; age; disability or marital status, and any other protected group or feature that federal and NYS law has or will establish; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of its policy, the City has established an Office of Human Rights and Affirmative Action pursuant to Article XIV of the City Charter and further established a Commission on Human Rights mandated to investigate and resolve allegations of discrimination in housing, among other things; and
WHEREAS, the City further objects to discrimination in the sale, rental, leasing, financing of housing or land to be use for construction of housing or in the provision of brokerage services because of any of race, color, religions, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap or disability as prohibited by the Federal Fair Housing Law and the New York State Human Rights Law; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City shall, within available resources, assist all persons who feel they have been discriminated against under one of the aforementioned categories, to seek equity under federal and state laws by filing a complaint with the New York State Divisioin of Human Rights and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as appropriate; and
RESOLVED, the Commissioner of Planning and Development, or her designee, is designated Fair Hearing Officer. The Contact information for said Fair Hearing Officer is: Planning Commissioner, City of Yonkers, Department of Planning & Development, 20 South Broadway, Suite 923, Yonkers, NY 10701, 914.377.6150; and
RESOLVED, the City Clerk shall publish this resolution in the official newspaper; post a copy in a conspicuous place in City Hall; and cause it to be posted on the City’s website and social media; and be it further
RESOLVED, the City, through this publicity, shall cause owners of real estate, developers, and builders to become aware of their respective responsibilities and rights under any applicable fair housing laws; and be it further.
RESOLVED, the City’s Department of Planning and Development shall maintain and distribute literature related to federal, state, and local fair housing policies and laws; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this resolution will take effect immediately.