Watch CBS News

Long Island Community Facing Calls For More Inclusive Housing

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)-- As one of Long Island's wealthiest communities gets set to enact new fair housing rules, it's being pressured to now make more inclusive housing a reality.

Forced by court challenge to enact non-discriminatory zoning and housing laws, fair housing activists converged on Garden City Village Hall Tuesday to encourage action.

"We are looking for them to do the right thing. Fairness is all that we require," one activist told WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs.

The new law was adopted after a 2013 report by U.S. District Judge Arthur Spatt ruled that Garden City discriminated against minorities when they enacted a zoning ordinance in 2004 that halted the prospect of affordable housing in the village.

Newsday reported that Garden City violated the federal Fair Housing Act and other civil rights statutes to keep minorities out of the community. According to Newsday, Garden City is 93 percent white.

Having fairness on paper is nice, activists say, but the reality of fairness still needs work.

"Let's stop this 'Long Island is the most segregated place to live,' We know that. Let's make it happen," Mimi Johnson of Long Island told WCBS 880.

Johnson said people shouldn't have to take legal action in order to get an apartment.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.