The Fair Housing Act became law in 1968, ushering in a new era . . . a dream that everyone could live the wherever they want, the hope that discrimination in housing had finally been overcome. It soon became clear that it was still a dream deferred. As the Newsday special investigation "Long Island Divided" highlighted, segregation is still rampant on Long Island. Since it is often impossible for victims of discrimination to know they have been mistreated, our system of paired testing, which Newsday calls the "gold standard," is crucial to enforcing fair housing laws.

Carol Germann pictured above is a former Long Island Housing Services client. These are her words:

"I personally know how critical the services provided by Long Island Housing Services (LIHS) are. My husband, Robert, neighbor Esther (though both since deceased) and I—all chronically disabled and mobility impaired — faced daily horrific obstacles in getting into our housing units or accessing mail at our senior condo community. We contacted LIHS seeking their intervention. Thanks to their amazing advocacy and enforcement services, we were able to fully access and enjoy our housing."

The Newsday special investigation "Long Island Divided" explains the Fair Housing testing that Long Island Housing Services (LIHS) does everyday. We applaud Newsday for exposing the racist segregation that LIHS confronts every day.

As reported in Newsday,

"Nonprofits like Long Island Housing Services ... investigate 70 percent of housing discrimination complaints in the United States.

That’s followed by state agencies at 24 percent and HUD at 5 percent. The federal Department of Justice investigate the small remainder."

The reality is there is still much work to do! As highlighted in the Newsday investigation "Long Island Divided", housing discrimination is still rampant on Long Island. Since victims often do not realize they are being discriminated against, our system of paired testing is crucial to enforcing fair housing laws

In this past year, Long Island Housing Services investigated housing discrimination complaints for ninety-three (93) clients.

Long Island Housing Services logged over 475 hours of Fair Housing tester time last year to investigate housing discrimination in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Just this year, generous donors have made it possible

• for your Long Island Neighbors overcome discriminatory housing policies;
• for homeowners to avoid foreclosure, and
• for tenants to understand their rights.

We can't slow down now

In order to more effectively fight housing discrimination, Newsday has called for increased funding from HUD and New York State for nonprofits like Long Island Housing Services to enforce the fair housing laws through paired testing.

But we can't afford to wait for government to act!

Today you can make your valuable support go even further by joining the Neighbors Club—a monthly giving program that supports our efforts year-round to eliminate unlawful housing discrimination and promote decent and affordable housing through advocacy and education.

Your ongoing monthly support will:

• Investigate claims of housing discrimination
• Send paired testers to determine if Housing providers are complying with Fair Housing Laws
• Assist clients with disabilities obtain reasonable accommodations or modifications from housing providers

That’s why I’m inviting you to join our Neighbors Club.

Become a Neighbor’s Club member today and you’ll enjoy:

• The knowledge that your donation is put to work immediately.
• Monthly newsletters on the difference your dollars are making.
• Hassle-free automatic monthly donations from your credit card.
• The ability to change or suspend your donations at any time.
• Complete statements provided for tax purposes.
• The joy of knowing that you’re improving someone’s life.

With your gift of just $9 a month you can support 30 minutes of Fair Housing Testing and experience the joy of changing a life. Can they count on you today?

Our mission is the elimination of unlawful housing discrimination and promotion of decent and affordable housing through advocacy and education.Founded in 1969, Long Island Housing Services, Inc. (www.LIFairHousing.org) is a private, nonprofit HUD-qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization and a federally certified, approved Housing Counseling agency. Your donation to our 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization is Tax Deductible.

A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at 640 Johnson Avenue, Suite 8, Bohemia, NY 11716 or www.LIFairHousing.org. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401.