FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25th, 2022
Contact:
Alex Staropoli, (914) 469-0060, alexstaropoli@fairsharehousing.org
Enforcement of the Fair Chance in Housing Act is Critical to Safeguarding the Rights of New Jerseyans
Earlier today, the Office of the Attorney General announced that the Division on Civil Rights issued 30 Notices of Violation to housing providers for non-compliance with the Fair Chance in Housing Act. The Fair Chance in Housing Act provides protections to individuals with prior criminal legal system involvement in the rental housing market. In response to this announcement Fair Share Housing Center issued the following statement.
Alex Staropoli, Director of Advocacy and Communications, Fair Share Housing Center:
“Today’s announcement by the Office of the Attorney General sends a clear message to housing providers throughout New Jersey that discrimination against individuals with prior criminal legal system involvement will not be tolerated.
Laws without enforcement are meaningless. The Fair Chance in Housing Act purposely included a strong enforcement mechanism because we know that enforcement is critical to addressing housing discrimination in our state. We applaud the Division on Civil Rights for protecting the rights of thousands of New Jerseyans.
New Jersey’s Fair Chance in Housing Act is a national model for protecting individuals with prior involvement in the criminal legal system from housing discrimination. Enforcement makes this law a reality and Fair Share Housing Center is committed to working with the Division on Civil Rights to make sure all New Jerseyans are protected from housing discrimination. Our hope is that with continued education and outreach this legislation can begin to transform access to housing in New Jersey.”
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Fair Share Housing Center is a nonprofit advocacy organization that uses legal, policy, and community-based strategies to dismantle decades of racial and economic discrimination in New Jersey and nationally that excludes people from the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
