This past week, the NYC Council passed an historic new law that will prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants on the basis of how they pay their rent, including those who pay their rent with Section 8 vouchers. This comes after nearly a year NYC Council Members of working with the New York City Housing Authority, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and landlord and tenant advocacy groups to improve the administration of the Section 8 voucher program.

With the rising cost of housing, it's critical that we take every possible step to preserve and increase access to affordable housing. The Section 8 voucher program and other forms of governmental rent assistance are an essential source of housing in this City, providing a critical safety net for thousands of New York families with limited incomes. Yet, far too many tenants who rely on these vital forms of assistance have reported facing problems, delays, or even flat-out rejection from landlords when attempting to use government assistance to secure and maintain affordable housing.

Thanks to the hard work of the Council, together with ACORN and other housing groups, this bill will not only increase access for people eligible for government subsidies to affordable housing, but it will also fully protect an individual's right to housing, regardless of their financial circumstances. We are very proud of the work we have done to make it strong and fair for both tenants and landlords.