A Montgomery County landlord who blocked renters with housing assistance is now required to rent to them — and change his policies.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with property owner Cesar Sosa, whose companies own or manage 57 buildings in Amsterdam. Her office found Sosa repeatedly denied housing to Section 8 voucher holders, violating state human rights and fair housing laws.
Sosa must now rent at least five units to tenants using housing vouchers, end all discriminatory practices, and update every listing and building with “Equal Housing Opportunity” notices. He also owes a $3,000 penalty — and faces an additional $6,000 fine if he violates the agreement.
‘Not approved for Section 8’
The Attorney General’s investigation started in April after online listings for Sosa’s properties stated tenants could not use “any kind” of housing assistance. In May, when a prospective tenant called asking about vouchers, Sosa falsely claimed his properties weren’t “approved for Section 8.”
Investigators uncovered widespread discrimination across his properties, including blocking applications from voucher holders and spreading misinformation about eligibility.
“All renters deserve fair access to affordable housing regardless of their financial status,” James said.
Training and oversight ordered
As part of the agreement, Sosa and his staff must undergo fair housing training and actively promote voucher-friendly units with one-year guaranteed leases. All rental ads must include language identifying the companies as Equal Housing Opportunity Providers.
This case marks the latest in a series of actions by Attorney General James targeting landlords who illegally deny housing to low-income New Yorkers. Her office has secured multiple settlements in the past two years, including a $400,000 payout from a New York City property firm in 2024.
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