2026 Settlement Highlights

The Commission has the authority to assess fines and obtain monetary damages for those aggrieved by violations of the New York City Human Rights Law. Additionally, the Commission may negotiate additional remedies including rehiring, policy change, training, and modifications for accessibility.

January 2026 – May 2026

Employer Settles Pregnancy Discrimination Claim for Over $55,900 in Emotional Distress Damages and Affirmative Relief

Complainant’s employment was suspended and terminated because of her pregnancy-related leave from work. Employer agreed to pay Complainant $15,928.64 in back pay and $40,000 in emotional distress damages. Employer also agreed to an audit of internal policies.

Landlord Settles Source of Income Discrimination Claim for $10,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Affirmative Relief

Landlord refused to accept Complainant’s emergency housing voucher, forcing Complainant to remain in a shelter for another 2 months. Landlord agreed to pay Complainant $10,000 in emotional distress damages and set aside 2 units for applicants using vouchers. Landlord will also attend training related to source of income discrimination, make necessary policy changes, and post policies publicly.

Housing Providers Settle Source of Income Discrimination Claim for $15,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and $10,000 in Civil Penalties

Complainant, a survivor of domestic violence, applied for housing using a Section 8 housing voucher. The Landlord and Broker refused to rent an apartment to the Complainant, claiming that they “don’t take section 8.” As a result, Complainant remained in an abusive living situation that worsened as a result of her failed search for alternative housing. The Landlord and Broker agreed to pay Complainant $15,000 in emotional distress damages and $10,000 in civil penalties. Landlord and broker also agreed to mandatory training and monitoring by the Commission.

Manhattan Restaurant Settles Pregnancy Discrimination Claim and Agrees to Pay $15,000 in Emotional Distress Damages

Complainant alleged that her employer questioned her ability to work after giving birth. Restaurant owners agreed to pay complainant $15,000 in emotional distress damages. As part of the agreement, all restaurant staff, including restaurant owners, will participate in anti-discrimination training and post notices of workers’ rights.

Landlord Settles Failure to Accommodate Claim for $70,000 in Damages and Penalties

Complainant, suffering from mobility and balance-related disabilities, requested a railing in the elevators of her apartment building as a reasonable accommodation. Landlord refused citing elevator aesthetics and failed to engage in the cooperative dialogue for over 8 years. Landlord agreed to pay Complainant $25,000 in emotional distress damages and $45,000 in civil penalties. Landlord will also install the railing, participating in anti-discrimination training, put up notice of rights posters, conduct internal policy revisions, and ongoing monitoring by the Commission.

Surrey Co-Operative Apartments Settles Race and Source of Income Discrimination Claim for Affirmative Relief

Complainants filed a complaint against Surrey Co-Operative Apartments alleging discrimination on the basis of their race and lawful source of income after they attempted to purchase a co-op unit. Surrey Co-Operative Apartments agreed to attend anti-discrimination training, revise their Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination policies, post notice of rights posters, and include the Fair Housing emblem on their application materials.

Landlord Settles Gender Discrimination and Harassment Case for $15,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and $10,000 in Civil Penalties

Complainant filed a complaint against Landlord who withdrew the offer to rent her an apartment after she rejected his romantic advances. As a result, Complainant and her family were forced into the shelter system and were unable to secure permanent housing for three years. Landlord agreed to pay Complainant $15,000 dollars in emotional distress damages and $10,000 in civil penalties. Landlord will also undergo anti-discrimination training post notice of rights posters.

Landlord Settles Failure to Accommodate Claim for over $250,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Civil Penalties

Complainant filed a complaint against Landlord alleging that the Landlord failed to provide a reasonable accommodation following a medical problem. After the Landlord refused to install a ramp at the tenant’s building, Complainant had to stay years longer than medically necessary at a rehabilitation facility owing to his inability to get back into his apartment building. Landlord also failed to engage in a cooperative dialogue with Complainant during this time. Landlord eventually built the ramp and agreed to pay Complainant $122,595.04 in emotional distress damages, $110,000 in civil penalties, and reimburse back rent. Landlord also agreed to attend anti-discrimination training, create a reasonable accommodation policy, post notice of rights posters, and engage in monitoring for 3 years.

Landlord Settles National Origin and Perceived Immigration Status Discrimination Claims for $26,500 in Emotional Distress Damages

Landlord hired Complainant to renovate his water-damaged apartment in exchange for reduced rent. After Complainant performed the repairs, the Landlord gave Complainant and his family 30 days' notice to vacate. When Complainant asked to instead be paid for his renovation work, Landlord threatened to have Complainant and his family deported. Landlord agreed to pay Complainant $26,500 in emotional distress damages, attend anti-discrimination training, create anti-discrimination rental policies, and display notice of rights posters in all rental properties.

Skechers Settled Race Discrimination Claim for $5,000 in Emotional Distress Damages

Complainant filed a claim against Skechers, alleging that a store manager made racially discriminatory comments against him while he was in the store. The Commission determined that Skechers violated the New York City Human Rights Law, and Skechers agreed to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages and participate in anti-discrimination training. 

NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital Settles Employment Race Discrimination Claim for $90,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and $15,000 in Civil Penalties  

Two Complainants alleged that their supervisors at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital fostered a hostile work environment by referring to them with racially charged language and acting on racial stereotypes. The Commission issued a notice of probable cause and began engaging in conciliation. NYU Langone claimed that they addressed the Complainants’ concerns, no longer employed the named harasser, and had not learned of any other similar claims. NYU Langone settled the claim for $40,000 in emotional distress damages for the first Complainant, $50,000 in emotional distress damages for the second Complainant, and $15,000 in civil penalties.

Clean City Laundry Inc. Settles Race Discrimination Claim for $1,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Affirmative Relief  

A customer at Clean City Laundry Inc., a Black man, believed he was being watched and followed by staff.  When he asked the employee to stop, she claimed that she did not speak English. However, the Complainant understands Spanish and overheard the employee referring to him by a pejorative term, asked why this “fat Black” was at the laundromat, and said “she did not like Black people.”  The Complainant alleged discrimination based on race. Clean City Laundry Inc. agreed to pay $1,000 in emotional distress damages, mandate all staff to attend the Commission's anti-discrimination training, and display the Commission’s Notice of Rights poster. 

Cityscape Living Settles Fair Chance Housing Claim Following Pre-Complaint Intervention 

After notification from the New York City Housing Authority that rental application for Cityscape Living contained discriminatory inquiries regarding criminal history and lawful source of income, the Commission initiated a pre-complaint investigation. The brokerage firm agreed to make immediate changes to the rental application, remove discriminatory inquiries, attend anti-discrimination trainings, and implement a new policy for real estate agents working with prospective tenants using lawful sources of income or prior engagement with the criminal justice system. 

Bond NY Settles Source of Income Discrimination Claim for $10,000 in Emotional Distress Damages, $30,000 in Rental Assistance Fund, and Affirmative Relief  

After a voucher holder inquired about a unit, a Bond NY agent insisted that a credit score was also required to proceed with an application. Bond NY agreed to pay $10,000 in emotional distress damages, create a $30,000 rental application assistance fund for voucher holders seeking housing, attend Commission anti-discrimination trainings, implement policy revisions, post the Commission's Fair Housing posters, and notify all staff of the protections on lawful source of income. 

HELP USA and Staff Agree to Pay $45,000 in Emotional Distress Damages Following Disability Discrimination Claim 

Complainant filed a complaint against HELP USA, alleging that while he was a resident in one of their shelters, their staff discriminated against him on the basis of his disability. Complainant was denied accessible housing by HELP USA, and on-site landlords failed to provide reasonable accommodations throughout his tenancy. HELP USA agreed to pay $20,000 in emotional distress damages, attend anti-discrimination training, distribute a reasonable accommodation policy, post Fair Housing posters, and engage in monitoring for two years. On-site landlords agreed to pay $25,000 in emotional distress damages, attend anti-discrimination training, post Fair Housing posters, and distribute a reasonable accommodation policy.

Landlord Settles Source of Income Discrimination Claim for $40,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Affirmative Relief  

Landlord refused to accept and fill out paperwork for a current tenant using a voucher, despite repeated requests from the tenant’s daughter, social worker, and Commission staff. The landlord settled the claim, agreeing to pay $35,000 in emotional distress damages, $5,000 in civil penalties, attend anti-discrimination training, and implement a policy to ensure acceptance of public sources of income. Landlord must also set aside all new vacancies in entire property portfolio for applicants using public sources of income for two years.

The New York City Transit Authority Settles Several Service Animal Discrimination Claims for $154,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Extensive Affirmative Relief   

Multiple complainants filed service animal discrimination claims against the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), alleging bus operators harassed people with service animals, denied users entry while accompanied by a service animal, or taking the bus out of service to withhold services from riders with a service animal. NYCTA agreed to pay Complainants a combined total of $154,000 in emotional distress damages. The settlement also requires training on the NYC Human Rights Law, updating policies that were reviewed by the Commission, updating internal bus operator evaluation forms, submission to monitoring by the Commission, and displaying the Commission's "Service Animals Are Welcome on Public Transportation" poster on all NYCTA buses throughout the five boroughs.