NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement today with Platzner International Group, its owners Merrick Platzner and Harrin Platzner, and their various properties to settle allegations it denied housing to low-income residents in New Rochelle.
The real estate company and property manager was alleged to have violated federal, state, and local fair housing laws by denying housing to low-income New Yorkers with Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers.
Housing discrimination based on source of income is illegal under fair housing and human rights laws. Owners, landlords, property managers, rental agents, and brokers are barred from refusing to accept potential tenants solely because they receive lawful housing assistance. Government-issued rental vouchers, such as the Section 8 Housing Choice voucher program, provide housing assistance to the lowest-income households to rent decent, safe housing in the private market. These programs also aid senior citizens and disabled persons on fixed incomes, displaced families, and homeless individuals with disabilities.
Under the agreement Platzner International Group settled litigation with the Office of the Attorney General, the Housing Rights Initiative and Westchester Residential Opportunities alleging discriminatory behavior.
According to James, the company and its related entities own more than 200 residential units across four multi-building complexes and are property managers for an additional 14 residential complexes primarily in Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, and Rye.
In November 2021, the OAG launched an investigation into Platzner International Group based on undercover testing done by the Housing Rights Initiative that revealed Platzner had an explicit policy of refusing to rent units to Section 8 voucher holders in certain buildings. Apartment listings from the company’s entities stated, “Sorry, NO section 8,” and a representative from Housing Rights Initiative was told that Platzner “does not take Section 8” at one of their buildings.
The OAG investigation also found that Platzner International Group asked illegal questions to prospective tenants on their rental applications, inquiring about potential tenant’s sex and marital status, a violation of New York’s Human Rights Law and federal fair housing law. In addition, the OAG investigation found that Platzner International Group claimed in their rental application that the application fee was as high as $50, a violation of New York state law which mandates they do not exceed $20.
As part of an agreement with OAG, Platzner will pay $10,000 for HRI’s damages and $95,000 in damages to WRO in their litigation. Platzner will also implement an antidiscrimination policy that conforms with federal, state, and local housing laws, and explicitly include in all rental listings that Section 8 vouchers will be accepted. They will also be required to set aside 20 units for tenants holding government housing subsidies like the Section 8 Housing Choice voucher. In addition, the Platzners, their staff, and partners will have to undergo mandatory training on relevant federal, state, and local fair housing laws and be subject to random compliance testing.
What they are saying:
New York State Attorney General Leticia James: “Every New Yorker, regardless of their income, deserves a place to live. Denying housing opportunities to low-income New Yorkers simply because they have a housing voucher is not only illegal, it worsens our affordable housing crisis. This agreement will help ensure that renters are treated fairly and will make it clear to brokers and landlords that discrimination will not be tolerated in New York. I want to thank the Housing Rights Initiative and Westchester Residential Opportunities for their help with this investigation and their ongoing and dedicated work to fight housing discrimination in our communities.”
Founder and Executive Director of Housing Rights Initiative Aaron Carr: “Housing enforcement is the difference between a family being able to use their housing voucher and being homeless. We thank Attorney General James and her team for their partnership in proactively and systematically enforcing New York state’s anti-discrimination laws and holding brokers and landlords accountable.”
Executive Director of Westchester Residential Opportunities Marlene Zarfes: “We are pleased to be able to work with Attorney General James’ Office to fight discrimination against voucher holders who are denied equal access to housing opportunities solely because of their lawful source of income. Source of Income discrimination is widespread and targets the most vulnerable of our society. This settlement should remind housing providers of their equal housing obligations and help to increase housing opportunities for voucher holders as intended under state and county fair housing laws.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer: “Attorney General Letitia James is looking out for all New Yorkers — and Westchester residents — by ensuring all have a fair shot when looking for a place to live. We are facing a housing crisis and increasing access to those in need is one step toward solving this longstanding challenge.”
New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer: “Housing opportunities influence where we work, where our children go to school, and what we are able to save for the future. No one should be excluded from those opportunities based on the source of their income. I thank Attorney General James for securing a meaningful agreement that will expand opportunities for Westchester residents and send an important message to realtors that New York will not tolerate housing discrimination of any kind.”
New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez: “Denying housing to low-income residents is downright shameful and weakens the chances of future progress to bridge the gap between renters and property owners. I commend Attorney General Letitia James and the Housing Rights Initiative for cracking down on source of income discrimination, sending a message from Westchester to the rest of New York that these practices will not stand.”
This matter is being led by Sandra Giorno-Tocco, Assistant Attorney General for Public Advocacy in the Westchester Regional Office of the Attorney General led by Jill Faber, Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs and Jane Landry-Reyes, Assistant Attorney General in the Housing Protection Unit, led by Brent Meltzer, Chief of the Housing Protection Unit. The Housing Protection Unit is a part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
We reached out to Harrin Platzner for a statement and did not receive an immediate reply. This article will be updated with any response.