Res. No. 803 Title Resolution calling upon the New York City Commission on Human Rights to increase its efforts to protect the rights of military service members under the City's Human Rights Law including, without limitation, by working with other appropriate City agencies to notify landlords of applicable legal obligations and calling upon Congress to pass legislation to prohibit discrimination in the rental of housing to members of the armed forces. Body By Council Members Nelson, Gerson, DeBlasio, Avella, Brewer, Comrie, Davis, Fidler, Foster, Koppell, Liu, McMahon, Recchia, Sears, Vann, Weprin, Gonzalez, Gennaro, Seabrook and Gioia Whereas, It has been reported in the press that managers of certain rental properties in New York City have required tenants to sign affidavits stating that they are not in the military; and Whereas, A recent survey of apartment rental applications collected from New York City landlords, property managers and brokers by the General Welfare Committee showed that 13% of the businesses surveyed asked prospective tenants whether they are members of the armed services; and Whereas, This practice, aimed at members of the armed forces who may be called to active duty and have to leave their homes for extended periods of time, constitutes discrimination; and Whereas, New York City is home to over 1,300 Army reservists, 900 Navy reservists and 730 Marine reservists; and Whereas, Through service and personal sacrifice, military personnel make great contributions to this country, and they should not suffer housing discrimination as a result of their profession; and Whereas, The Commission on Human Rights has correctly recognized that this practice is illegal under New York City's Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of occupation in housing accommodations; and Whereas, H. R. 621, introduced in the United States House of Representatives, would amend the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to make it unlawful to discriminate in rentals to members of the armed forces with a penalty of a fine and/or up to one year imprisonment; and Whereas, This legislation recognizes the dedication of those in the U.S. military and will ensure that members of the armed services will not suffer from discrimination when seeking housing; and Whereas, In the ordinary course of business, the City of New York regularly delivers information regarding taxes and other matters to residential landlords; and Whereas, The City of New York has the ability to take advantage of mechanisms regularly used to deliver information regarding taxes and other matters to residential landlords to remind landlords of their legal obligation under the Human Rights Law not to discriminate against members of the armed forces; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Commission on Human Rights to increase its efforts to protect the rights of military service members under the Human Rights Law including, without limitation, by working with other appropriate City agencies to notify landlords of applicable legal obligations and calls upon Congress to pass legislation to prohibit discrimination in the rental of housing to members of the armed forces. J.D.S. 4/1/03 LS#2066/2188 |1013|