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Sailboat on St. Lawrence River; Statue of Liberty; In remembrance of the September 11, 2001 New York City World Trade Center disaster: a photo collage of 'Phantom Towers,' a temporary monument made of light (Phantom towers conceived by Paul Myoda and Julian LaVerdiere. Original photograph by Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times. Digital manipulation by The New York Times. Copyright ©2001 The New York Times Company.); Friends Lake Road; Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay

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Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

 

Organized to respond to the Agency's expanding role in monitoring the progress of access to Fair Housing initiatives, FHEO is also responsible for implementing the agency's Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity programs for minority and women-owned business enterprises. FHEO is composed of three distinct units. Each unit is under the guidance of the Director who is responsible for ensuring that respective program areas are monitored for compliance with State and Federal laws, rules and regulations governing equal opportunity in tenant occupancy in State-assisted housing, hiring, and contractual opportunities administered by DHCR.

To reach the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity phone or write:

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
38-40 State St.
Albany, New York 12207
Phone: 518-474-6157

Contract Compliance Unit
Phone: 518-474-6157

Equal Opportunity Unit
Phone: 518-474-6157

Fair Housing Initiatives Unit
Phone: 212-480-6761
            518-474-6157

Other DHCR addresses and phone numbers

FHEO carries out its responsibilities pursuant to:

  • Executive Order #6 which ensures equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, disabled persons and Vietnam Era veterans in state government employment
  • Executive Law Article 15-A requiring employment and business opportunities for M/WBEs in State agencies and contracted projects
  • Executive Order #19 prohibiting sexual harassment and intimidation in the workplace
  • Presidential Executive Order #11063 requiring equal opportunity in housing
  • Presidential Executive Order #11246 requiring affirmative action programs in federally-assisted construction projects
  • Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibit discrimination based on disability, with guidelines on providing reasonable accommodation

Note: A minority is defined as Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Native American.


Last updated on 08/05/03

http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/fheo/fheo.htm

 

 

Fair Housing Initiatives Unit

 

The Fair Housing Unit (FHU) seeks to guard against discrimination and works toward equal access to housing according to federal and State Fair Housing laws and the New York State Division of Human Rights. The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, handicap, marital status, religion, or familial status. The unit is responsible for monitoring efforts which promote affirmatively furthering fair housing statewide. FHU promotes fair housing choice by reviewing affirmative marketing plans, including monitoring fair housing advertisements and waiting lists to ensure community outreach is conducted in accordance with Federal and State law.

The Fair Housing Initiatives Unit is responsible for administering the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and for developing and implementing programs to involve housing industry professions, businesses and corporations, public housing authorities, and others in voluntary compliance with the law.

For more information contact the Fair Housing Unit.


Last updated on 03/01/04

 

Equal Opportunity Unit

 

The EOU monitors DHCR's personnel policies and practices and its implementation of hiring goals to ensure appropriate representation of women, minority groups, disabled persons and Vietnam Era veterans in employment. It advises managers and supervisors on equal opportunity in hiring, training, promotion, and other personnel actions and monitors such activities in light of the agency's affirmative action goals and objectives. The EOU conducts special recruitment for certain DHCR job titles and engages in SCOPE conferences with the Department of Civil Service to ensure that civil service examinations are relevant and fair.

The staff investigates and assists in resolving discrimination complaints under Federal and State equal opportunity statutes. Complaints can be filed by an applicant for employment, a current employee, or a beneficiary of a DHCR service who believes that he or she has been the subject of discrimination. The unit provides training and technical assistance to agency staff on a range of equal opportunity matters including fair housing, sexual harassment, and reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in employment as well as access to services provided by DHCR.

For more information, contact the Equal Opportunity Unit.


Last updated on 03/01/04

 

Contract Compliance Unit

 

The CCU implements Executive Law Article 15-A to ensure the participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) in contracts for construction, commodities and professional services with housing entities under DHCR supervision and DHCR purchasing. It monitors M/WBE participation goals in contracting and subcontracting opportunities and reviews the affirmative action aspects of contractors' workforce utilization plans to ensure the hiring of minorities and women in their workforce.

This unit assists M/WBEs in applying to the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) for State-certification. The staff works to ensure that state certified firms listed in ESDC's database are informed of all relevant contracting opportunities. Outreach activities include providing information to M/WBEs on contracting opportunities available through DHCR's various housing programs such as the Mitchell-Lama Program, the Public Housing Modernization Program, Housing Trust Fund, Housing Development Fund, and the HOME Program. The staff participates in project planning conferences, reviews Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs), and sets procedures for announcing contracting and bidding opportunities.

The unit assists with the compliance of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968 and disseminates the "Guide to Local Resources - Section 3 Initiative."

FHEO carries out its responsibilities pursuant to:

  • Executive Order #6 which ensures equal employment opportunity for minorities,women, disabled persons and Vietnam Era veterans in state government employment;
  • Executive Law Article 15-A requiring employment and business opportunities for M/WBEs in State agencies and contracted projects;
  • Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u, Section 3);
  • Executive Order #19 prohibiting sexual harassment and intimidation in the workplace;
  • Presidential Executive Order #11063 requiring equal opportunity in housing;
  • Presidential Executive Order #11246 requiring affirmative action programs in federally-assisted construction projects;
  • Fair Housing Act of 1968 - Title VIII; and
  • Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination based on disability, with guidelines on providing reasonable accommodations.

For more information, contact the Contract Compliance Unit.

Note: A minority is defined as Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Native American.


Last updated on 03/01/04


 

The need for safe, decent and affordable housing remains an ongoing challenge for the State of New York. Governor Pataki and this agency are committed to meeting this worthy challenge in comprehensive and innovative ways. The programs described below reflect our aim of advancing our housing goals for the benefit of our customers, the people of New York State.

DHCR funded sources of affordable housing:

Other sources of affordable housing:

Rental assistance:

Owning your own home:


Last updated on 12/13/04