(Buffalo, NY) - Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April N. M. Baskin accepted the Director’s Award from ‘Housing Opportunities Made Equal’ (“HOME”) at the housing organization’s Annual Dinner and Celebration, held on May 17, 2019.

This award recognizes singular contributions by individuals and organizations in the area of civil and human rights related to housing.  Erie County has continued to make such contributions, including the landmark 2018 passage of the Erie County Fair Housing Law which HOME cited in honoring the County.

Chairwoman Baskin, who served as Majority Leader of the Legislature in 2018 when the law was debated and approved by the Legislature, played a decisive role in passage of the legislation. The legislation had been stalled in a legislative committee for several years until Baskin and her colleagues in the new Democratic Majority Caucus pushed for its passage.

The legislation, which is among the most comprehensive fair housing legislation in the nation, was adopted in May 2018.  It expands protections for renters and home buyers based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children conferred by the national legislation, by barring discrimination in housing against individuals on the basis of their age, marital status, source of income, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status or familial status. A new Erie County Fair Housing board, created by the law, has the ability to hold hearings on housing complaints, and to enforce the law, among other duties.

“The time had come for a comprehensive overhaul of housing legislation in Erie County,” said Chair Baskin. “There were gaps in existing laws at the federal, state and local level for single mothers, those using Section 8 vouchers, or members of the military seeking housing.  The discrimination they face is real, and it impacts our entire community. I worked closely with my colleagues in the Legislature to move the law out of committee, through the public hearing process and to the floor for a vote. Fair housing policies help to guarantee that everyone will be treated equally and with respect and dignity when it comes to one of our most basic necessities. I hope that other communities across the state look to our example in Erie County.”

The law makes it illegal to refuse to sell or rent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, immigration status or familial status.

“I was honored to accept the 2019 Director’s Award on behalf of my Legislature colleagues and the County Executive.  Erie County’s Fair Housing Law is one of the most progressive in the nation, and I will always work to protect our residents from housing discrimination. HOME’s mission to create strong and diverse communities is something I truly believe in and support,” remarked Chair Baskin.

The law is enforced through a multi-step process. Complaints will be investigated through the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, which attempts to resolve the matter. If the matter cannot be resolved by the Environment and Planning or its designated investigator, the complaint is forwarded to the new Fair Housing Board, which is comprised of five members, appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Erie County Legislature. These members include representatives from the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, a member of the New York Law Center or Neighborhood Legal Services, the Erie County Commissioner of Public Advocacy, the First Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Social Services and one member from Belmont Housing Resources or the Rental Assistance Corporation of Buffalo. The Fair Housing Board also has the ability to refer valid complaints to the County Attorney’s Office, which could seek to impose penalties in court. In addition to fines, penalties may also include the revocation of licenses and permits. Finally, the County Attorney will have the ability to refer matters to the Erie County District Attorney for prosecution as necessary.