Instagram

Accepting Section 8

This is an open letter to landlords, brokers and tenants in the Norwood News readership area.

Landlords of six housing units or more cannot refuse to accept section 8 vouchers or any federal, state, or city subsidies under local law 10 Int. 061-A. This includes people on public assistance or Social Security.

Neither can they print, circulate, or advertise housing that contains this limitation. This legislation prohibiting landlords to discriminate against tenants based on lawful sources of income was passed by the New York City Council on March 26, 2008.

I see it violated in brokers’ windows where it says “Section 8 working person preferred” and many ads in newspapers that say, “working persons only.” If you feel you have been discriminated against because of Section 8 vouchers or other lawful money, you should call the NYC Human Rights Commission or your local Council member. You can call the League of Women Voters at (212) 725-3541 to find the phone number of your Council member.

Henry Braun

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.

Like this story? Leave your comments below.