Ithaca landlord sued by state AG for violating housing laws

ITHACA, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing landlord Jason Fane, his company Ithaca Renting Company, and his related entities for denying housing to low-income tenants in violation of New York’s housing laws against source-of-income discrimination.

According to James, an investigation by her office found that Fane and his real-estate agents refused to accept Section 8 vouchers at his properties and that agents at Ithaca Renting repeatedly told renters they do not accept government-assistance vouchers.

Through the lawsuit, James seeks to require that Fane stop denying housing to those with Section 8 vouchers, pay $300,000 in civil penalties, reform employee policies and training for all agents, and set aside 5 percent of his residential-housing units exclusively for Section 8 vouchers.

“Denying housing to New Yorkers based on their source of income is not only illegal, but it’s also worsening the housing crisis. We are taking action to protect vulnerable tenants, keep New Yorkers in their homes, and enforce the law,” James said in a news release.

Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Milks of the Binghamton Regional Office is handling the matter.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides housing assistance to the lowest-income households in New York state to rent or purchase housing in the private housing market. The program also helps senior citizens and disabled persons on fixed incomes, displaced families, and homeless individuals with disabilities. New York’s executive law states it is unlawful and discriminatory to deny housing to individuals based on their source of income.

James’ office opened an investigation into Fane and Ithaca Renting after receiving complaints from individuals denied housing for having a Section 8 voucher. The lawsuit alleges that an individual who was already living in an apartment managed by Fane was denied housing by Fane’s agent because of her Section 8 voucher.

The suit also alleges a housing advocate assisting a homeless man with a Section 8 voucher to find an apartment in downtown Ithaca contacted two agents who worked at different properties owned by Fane, and both agents told the advocate they do not accept Section 8 vouchers. The lawsuit alleges this led to the homeless man remaining homeless for at least another year.

According to James, Fane and his entities own 18 properties with more than 500 residential units. During the investigation, several of Fane’s agents who told investigators they chose not to participate in the Section 8 voucher program would not say where this policy came from.