NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of eight other attorneys general today released the following statement applauding the Biden-Harris administration’s new actions to protect tenants, strengthen fair housing laws, and expand access to affordable housing for Americans across the country:
“Once again, the Biden-Harris administration has made clear that supporting hardworking Americans and ensuring that we all are equally protected under the law are top priorities. Too many people across the country are facing record-high housing costs, and families are struggling to find safe and affordable housing. Today’s announcement is a comprehensive plan that will address many of the challenges that people are facing every day and will help strengthen our ability to regulate and enforce fair housing laws and confront the other systemic issues that prevent people from finding a home. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners at the local, state, and federal level to ensure that no one is discriminated against or taken advantage of as they seek this most basic life necessity.”
Joining Attorney General James in issuing this statement are Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb.
Attorney General James has always fought to protect tenants and ensure New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable housing. In December 2019, she launched an investigation into housing discrimination practices at multiple Long Island brokerages, and in August 2022, she secured settlements to fix illegal practices and require fair housing trainings for agents. Attorney General James has taken action against landlords that violated lead protection laws, putting tenants, especially children, at risk. She has fought back against tenant blacklisting efforts, and held landlords accountable for harassing, misleading, and illegally threatening to lock out New York renters. Attorney General James has also secured millions of dollars for tenants who had money illegally withheld by landlords, and provided tens of millions of dollars to preserve and expand affordable housing throughout the state.