ALBANY – On Monday, Attorney General Letitia James from New York announced a settlement with a Montgomery County landlord who was accused of discriminating against tenants who rely on public housing assistance.
The investigation by her office found that Cesar Sosa, the owner of 57 residential buildings in Amsterdam, allegedly turned away potential tenants who wanted to use housing assistance. He claimed that his buildings weren’t “approved” for Section 8 vouchers, which are federal subsidies designed for low-income households. As part of this legal agreement, Sosa will pay $3,000 in penalties and set aside at least five units specifically for tenants using housing assistance, ensuring at least one lease renewal for them.
Sosa is also required to publicly display that he is an “equal housing opportunity” landlord on signs, in online listings, and any advertisements for his properties. Moreover, he cannot use income or credit scores as criteria for renting to anyone eligible for taxpayer-funded housing assistance.
Responding to a request for comments, Sosa’s attorney mentioned that he is unable to provide statements regarding the case.
The settlement revealed numerous online ads for Sosa’s apartments claimed: “No assistance of any kind accepted.” During a call in May from a prospective tenant asking if she could use a Section 8 voucher, Sosa informed her that the apartment was “not approved for Section 8.”
This kind of refusal to rent based on the source of income violates New York’s anti-discrimination laws.
In a statement announcing the settlement, James emphasized, “All renters deserve fair access to affordable housing, regardless of their financial situation. Cesar Sosa’s unlawful and discriminatory practices deprived hardworking New Yorkers of safe housing options. My office will remain dedicated to protecting renters’ rights throughout the state and addressing discriminatory practices that worsen the housing crisis.”
