[co-author: Stephanie Kozol]

On March 15, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with Coldwell Banker for allegedly violating fair housing laws and discriminating against homebuyers of color. According to the settlement, Coldwell must pay $20,000 in penalties and $10,000 to Suffolk County to promote fair house enforcement and compliance. Coldwell also must provide fair housing training to its agents and install a form for discrimination complaints on its website.

The AG’s investigation into Coldwell and other Long Island real estate brokerages began after a 2019 Newsday report on housing discrimination. Subsequently, it found that Coldwell potentially imposed different requirements based on the prospective homebuyer’s color; steered homebuyers of color to same-color neighborhoods; and in general, acted biasedly. The AG’s investigation also led to three other housing discrimination actions against Long Island real estate brokerages.

Why It Matters

This latest settlement clearly demonstrates the New York AG’s office’s intolerance for discrimination and its willingness to take action. AG James stated, “My office’s investigation into Coldwell Banker uncovered a persistent pattern of prospective homebuyers receiving different treatment because of their race. Discriminating against people because of race is not just shameful — it is illegal. Housing is and always will be a human right, and my office will continue to address these pervasive and discriminatory practices statewide.”