Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Babylon) announced that she introduced legislation, along with Senator Jim Gaughran (D-Huntington) to prevent real estate agents and brokers from discriminating against minority homebuyers. This comes after a recent Newsday investigation revealed that dozens of real estate agents across Long Island were providing unequal treatment to minority clients through racial steering and other unfair practices.

“Every New Yorker should have the freedom to choose where they want to call home and build a future for themselves, regardless of the color of their skin,” Jean-Pierre said. “Yet in this day and age, discrimination and segregation still persists in our Long Island neighborhoods and across the state. We must fiercely stand up against racism and put an end to these disgusting practices if we want our communities to be inclusive and welcoming. I applaud Newsday for shining a light on this serious issue. Now, by attacking this problem head on, we can lead the way toward change and make true equality a reality in New York State.”

"The horrifying pattern of pervasive and discriminatory real estate practices revealed by Newsday's investigation must be stopped on its head,” said Gaughran. “There must be serious consequences for real estate agents who buck the law and basic human decency. This bill will be a critical tool in the State's toolbox for holding bad actors accountable. I look forward to working with Assemblywoman Jean-Pierre on passage of this bill and additional, comprehensive measures to address all of the elements that have allowed this crisis to fester so we can address Long Island's history of discrimination once and for all."

A recent Newsday report investigated dozens of real estate agents and brokers across Long Island over the past three years and found widespread evidence of biased treatment against minority homebuyers. The report revealed that agents were steering potential homebuyers to certain neighborhoods based on their race and were requiring preapproval for mortgages from minority clients, but not from their white counterparts.[1] Newsday also found that nearly half of black testers, 39% of Hispanic testers and 19% of Asian testers received unfair treatment from agents involved in the investigation.[2]

Under current law, the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) can fine, suspend or revoke the license of a real estate agent or broker for fraudulent practices, misleading advertising and other offenses. The bill that Jean-Pierre introduced would expand this law by authorizing the NYSDOS to suspend or revoke a real estate agent’s license if they are in violation of the NYS Human Rights Law, which prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race or national origin. Jean-Pierre’s legislation aims to ensure any agent or broker who engages in these unjust practices is held accountable and would deter future discriminatory actions in the real estate industry.

[1] projects.newsday.com/long-island/real-estate-agents-investigation

[2] Ibid.