New York audit uncovers major failures in investigating housing discrimination complaints

A recent audit by the New York State Comptroller has revealed significant failures in the state’s Division of Human Rights (DHR) to investigate housing discrimination complaints. The audit, released Tuesday, points to “poor management” as a key factor in the agency’s inability to process complaints, leading to widespread delays and mismanagement.

The audit’s findings were alarming: DHR was initially unable to account for 68 percent of sampled complaints, with nearly half of the cases taking over 30 days to receive an initial response. Of the cases that were investigated, 69 percent languished for over 100 days without resolution, and in 70 percent of closed cases, there was no evidence that appropriate procedures were followed.

These failures directly violated Section 297(2)(b) of the state’s human rights law, which mandates that DHR must begin investigations within 30 days of receiving a complaint and notify respondents of the outcome within 100 days. The Comptroller’s report underscored that these delays breached agency procedures and called for urgent reforms.

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To address the issues, the Comptroller’s Office recommended three key actions: implementing better internal controls, including comprehensive written procedures; improving oversight of time management and investigatory processes; and establishing a system to ensure complaints are processed in the order they are received.

In response, Acting Commissioner of DHR Denise Miranda acknowledged the audit’s findings, expressing gratitude for its “insights and professionalism.” However, she defended the agency by noting the audit covered the period from 2019 to 2024, including the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DHR is tasked with enforcing New York’s human rights law, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens. However, with the state facing a mounting housing crisis amid rising costs and economic inequality, the agency’s ability to address housing discrimination is more critical than ever. The audit’s findings raise serious concerns about DHR’s capacity to fulfill its mission at such a pivotal time.