A non-profit aimed at German-Americans has settled allegations that it denied housing in its community to minorities and non-Germans
A New York non-profit will have to overhaul its policies and boot two of its officers as part of a settlement over housing discrimination, according to the state attorney general’s office.
Long Island’s German American Settlement League was being investigated by the office for discriminating against non-white, non-German people in its housing policies, according to a news release. The settlement, announced Wednesday, ordered the GASL to end its historical exclusion of “non-white, non-German individuals from membership and home ownership in its community,” located in Yaphank, Long Island.
According to the attorney general’s office, the non-profit was in violation of Fair Housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race or national origin.
“The GASL’s discriminatory practices were a remnant of a disgraceful past that has no place in New York or anywhere,” said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “This agreement will once and for all put an end to the GASL’s discrimination, ensuring that all New Yorkers are afforded equal access to housing opportunities — regardless of their race or national origin. My office will continue to uphold and protect all New Yorkers’ fundamental right to equal access to housing.”
Under the agreement, the non-profit has agreed to cease its housing discrimination based on national origin and race; immediately replace its president and treasurer; report to the AG for three years to show its compliance to the agreement; publish notices within the Yaphank community that it has changed its housing policies towards housing equality; and to have a “written record retention policy” to document and ensure its compliance with fair housing.
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Long Island’s German American Settlement League was being investigated by the office for discriminating against non-white, non-German people in its housing policies, according to a news release. The settlement, announced Wednesday, ordered the GASL to end its historical exclusion of “non-white, non-German individuals from membership and home ownership in its community,” located in Yaphank, Long Island.
According to the attorney general’s office, the non-profit was in violation of Fair Housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race or national origin.
“The GASL’s discriminatory practices were a remnant of a disgraceful past that has no place in New York or anywhere,” said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “This agreement will once and for all put an end to the GASL’s discrimination, ensuring that all New Yorkers are afforded equal access to housing opportunities — regardless of their race or national origin. My office will continue to uphold and protect all New Yorkers’ fundamental right to equal access to housing.”
Under the agreement, the non-profit has agreed to cease its housing discrimination based on national origin and race; immediately replace its president and treasurer; report to the AG for three years to show its compliance to the agreement; publish notices within the Yaphank community that it has changed its housing policies towards housing equality; and to have a “written record retention policy” to document and ensure its compliance with fair housing.
Related stories:
NY landlord indicted for $5 million mortgage fraud
HUD slaps California lenders with penalties for discrimination
