Authorizes commissioner of housing and community renewal to maintain housing registry called "Access-New York"

Summary of provisions

Section one defines the short title of this bill to be cited as the "Access-New York Act."

Section two amends the public housing law by adding a new section 14-a, which offers all relevant and necessary definitions. Furthermore, this section requires the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) to develop and maintain a statewide housing registry (called Access-New York) to consist of a database to track accessible housing throughout the state and maintain information about its availability.

This database, which must contain specific information also set forth in this section, must be accessible by both a web site and a toll-free number to easily allow people with disabilities to retrieve housing vacancy information. All owners or operators of any residential housing that is for sale or rent with three or more accessible units must list vacancies on this registry. In addition, this section requires DHCR and the Secretary of State to market Access-New York to certain organiza- tions that will make this registry successful and functional.

This section also creates a special advisory panel within DHCR responsi- ble for assisting in the establishment and maintenance of the housing registry. The panel shall meet as needed, but at least twice a year, and shall be comprised of three representatives from public housing authori- ties within New York State, three advocates of the disability community and three representatives of the production, management or marketing of residential real estate, one of each appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Temporary President of the Senate, two tenants with disabilities and two representatives from neighborhood and rural preservation companies, one of each appointed by the Minority Leader of the Assembly and the Minority Leader of the Senate. In addi- tion to its primary responsibility of working to ensure the success of Access-New York, this panel would be responsible for issuing an annual report to the Legislature on the Access-New York housing registry program.

Section three calls for this bill to take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.

Justification

In recent years, a social demand has called upon legis- lators to help relieve the burdens of finding accessible housing for people with disabilities. Locating housing that meets the needs of people with disabilities is a challenging task because many people with disabilities face a twofold problem. Many live on a fixed income, and cannot afford the high cost of housing, so they are limited to the few units that are both inexpensive and accessible.

A statewide accessible housing registry in New York would help correct the issue of locating suitable housing for people with disabilities. The registry would allow for people with disabilities to search for housing that suits their accessibility needs and income levels. It should be noted that, while mandatory, this program entails no enforce- ment mechanism that would be imposed on covered owners for non-compli- ance.

Legislative history

2011-12: S.3396/A.7746 - Referred to Housing 2009-2010: S.1528 - Died in Housing 2007-2008: S.3957A - Died in Rules both years 2007-2008: A.7107 - Passed Assembly both years. 2005-2006: S.4875A - Died in Finance 2005-2006: A.7868 - Passed Assembly both years

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become law.