On Wednesday, September 24th, 2014, ERASE Racism joined Suffolk County residents and other community organizations to witness County ExecutiveSteve Bellone's signing of HR 1620 into law. Elaine Gross, President of ERASE Racism called this "a win for fair housing."

Passed by a unanimous vote in the Suffolk County legislature earlier in September, the bill expands the County's Human Rights Law to provide residents meaningful protection from discrimination in areas including housing, employment, credit, and public accommodations. Strengthening housing provisions, this amendment prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their lawful source of income, including income derived from Social Security or housing assistance, such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8).

Standing alongside County Executive Bellone and other community leaders at the signing in Hauppauge, Elaine Gross remarked: "The signing of this amended Human Rights Law, offering expanded protections against discrimination, is applauded by ERASE Racism. Among its many provisions, home-seekers in Suffolk County can no longer be denied housing because of their source of income."

The changes effected by the signing of this bill will benefit many residents, including vulnerable veterans, immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities, single mothers with children, and seniors. It represents an important step forward for the promotion of residential integration and economic equality which is at the heart of ERASE's mission.

To read more about ERASE Racism's housing work, click here.