ALBANY — New York officials say stepped-up enforcement and funding are delivering results in the fight against housing discrimination, with nearly $1 million awarded to victims last year alone.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced that the State Division of Human Rights secured $939,557 in financial compensation in 2025 for individuals who filed housing discrimination complaints, alongside policy changes aimed at preventing future violations.
The announcement comes as part of Fair Housing Month and underscores what state leaders describe as a significant expansion in enforcement activity since 2021.
According to the governor’s office, the Division’s Housing Investigations Unit has more than tripled its annual case closures — rising from 333 in 2021 to 1,020 in 2025 — while total compensation awarded to victims has increased more than fivefold over the same period.
State officials say enforcement actions have gone beyond financial penalties, often requiring housing providers to adopt anti-discrimination policies, undergo training, and make changes to business practices.
Recent cases cited by the state include settlements involving alleged discrimination based on income source, race and disability status. Remedies ranged from financial payments and fines to mandated policy changes, accessibility improvements and housing accommodations for affected tenants.
Officials say the increased activity follows expanded funding and operational reforms implemented during Hochul’s administration, including efforts to streamline investigations and improve how complaints are handled.
The state also marked Fair Housing Month by directing landmarks across New York to be lit in blue, including Niagara Falls, the Empire State Plaza and the Fairport Lift Bridge.
Looking ahead, the Division of Human Rights will host a statewide fair housing conference later this month focused on addressing ongoing challenges in housing access and discrimination.
State leaders say the broader goal remains ensuring equal access to housing while strengthening protections for renters and homeowners across New York.
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