At least 50 HIV-positive New York renters during the past several months have complained to city housing organizations after being forced out of their homes or evicted due to foreclosures, The New York Times reports.
Due to high rental rates, insufficient antidiscrimination laws and inadequate public benefits, positive renters are often left with few housing options and a housing search that may last as long as one year.
According to the Times, the City Council amended the city’s housing code in March, which made it illegal for landlords to discriminate against recipients of federal, state or local housing benefits, such as Section 8 or the city’s HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA). However, the amendment only applies to buildings with six units or more, not private homes, and does not penalize those who violate it.
“There are no consequences, no monetary fines,” said case manager Hannah Thorne of Housing Works, a New York City-based AIDS service organization that provides housing assistance. “We look for apartments with clients, and the landlords say, ‘No programs, no programs, no programs.’”
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gk, New York CIty, 2008-09-02 13:38:08
I have to agree with JJ as someone who works with HIV positive individuals there are alot of problems that arise (substance abuse, Mental Illness etc.) that causes tenants to become irresponsible with paying their rent. I understand that landlords do not want to rent when they can get market rate instead of waiting for HASA to cut a check for them. The demand is high and that is why the landlords can pick and choose. I dont blame landlords for not taking people in programs.
jj, new york, 2008-08-27 20:49:24
It must be noted that as a matter of fact small landlords opt not to rent to programs due to numerous problems. Most noted is fact that renters often tend not pay their share of rent, leaving landlord to face expensive eviction process. Also, a small number of program renters are just bad tenants - current substance abusers; recidivist; or are just not capable of maintaining a residence. Horror stories caused by a few, lead small landlords, unjustly or not, to avoid renting to programs.
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