Newark Landlord Denied Housing To Section 8 Holders: NJAG

NEWARK, NJ — It’s against the law for New Jersey landlords or real estate agencies to deny a renter housing just because they’re getting “Section 8” vouchers. But that’s what recently happened at several properties across the state, including in Newark, prosecutors say.

On Monday, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the state Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced enforcement actions for 20 cases involving alleged violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

The law prohibits landlords from denying someone housing because of their source of lawful income – including government assistance.

In Newark, at least three people reached out to a local property owner, only to be told that they do not accept Section 8 vouchers, prosecutors alleged.

Federal “Section 8” vouchers are available for very low-income families, elderly residents and people with disabilities. Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program, including single-family homes and townhouses.

The DCR issued findings of probable cause in 15 cases, which took place in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth and Passaic counties, and involved six different real estate brokerages: Opirhory Realtors, Howard Hanna Rand Realty, KP Edgestone Realty LLC, Property Advisers LLC d/b/a/ Better Home Realty, New and Modern Group LLC, and United Real Estate.

The state has reached consent decrees in another five cases – obtaining nearly $105,000 in relief, prosecutors said. The settlements involved properties in Newark and Jersey City, as well as three different real estate brokerages: Keller Williams City Life Realty, Weichert Realtors Jersey City Downtown, and Realty Mark LLC.

Some of the allegations stem from complaints and video recordings that nonprofit watchdog group Housing Rights Initiative filed with the state, prosecutors noted.

“Every resident of our state deserves to have a safe, affordable place to live,” Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.

“And with the federal government halting the work of key federal civil rights agencies, it’s more important than ever that we stand up against discrimination targeting our state’s residents,” Platkin added. Read More: Newark Nonprofits Awarded Grants As Trump Funding Freeze Looms

This week’s enforcement actions aren’t the only recent allegations of housing discrimination that have been reported in Newark.

In April 2024, state officials announced that a pair of rental properties in Newark were among several in North Jersey that allegedly discriminated against people who wanted to use Section 8 vouchers – the same accusations announced this week. Read More: NJ Probes Claims Of Housing Discrimination In Newark

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