Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 21A-1

Statement of policy

In Force
Verified 11/10/2026 · Next check 12/10/2026
BrookhavenFair Housing & Anti-Discrimination

Operative Text

Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 21A-1
A. In the Town of Brookhaven, with its population consisting of people of various races, creeds, colors and national origins, there is no greater danger to the health, morals, safety and welfare of the Town and its inhabitants than the existence of groups and individuals reflecting prejudice against one another and antagonistic to each other because of differences of race, creed, color or national origin. The Town Board hereby finds and declares that acts of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination which deny a person the opportunity to sell, purchase, lease or rent or obtain financing for the purchase or lease of housing accommodations because of race, creed, color or national origin threaten the fundamental rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the Town of Brookhaven and undermine the foundations of a free democratic state. The Town Board further declares it to be the public policy of the Town of Brookhaven to eliminate and prevent discrimination and involuntary segregation based on race, creed, color or national origin and to safeguard the right of every person to sell, purchase, lease or rent or obtain financing for the purchase or lease of housing accommodations without regard to race, creed, color or national origin. B. The Town Board further declares it to be the public policy of the Town of Brookhaven to require that every department or other subdivision of said Town which may be involved in any construction programs for road building or recreational construction programs which could involve the removal or replacement of persons from their present living accommodations and their resettlement elsewhere (or which endeavor to implement any public or publicly assisted or public-approved housing or relocation plan) notify the Town Board of such action planned so that it may receive from the Town Board such recommendations as, in the judgment of the Board, will aid in effectuating the purpose of this chapter, including the elimination or minimization of involuntary segregation in housing within the Town. C. In accordance with this policy, it shall be the duty of all Town officers, officials and employees to exercise any governmental function relating to the use, sale or occupancy of land, real property or housing accommodations in such a manner consistent with law so that all patterns of involuntary racially segregated housing existing in this Town are eliminated and that the creation of any such patterns is prevented to the maximum extent that such a result can be achieved by such action.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A § 21A-1 establishes the Town of Brookhaven's foundational policy against housing discrimination based on race, creed, color, or national origin. The provision declares that every person has the right to sell, purchase, lease, rent, or obtain financing for housing without facing such discrimination. It also directs all Town departments involved in construction, relocation, or housing programs to coordinate with the Town Board to minimize involuntary segregation, and requires all Town officers and employees to carry out their governmental functions in ways that eliminate and prevent racially segregated housing patterns.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on November 9, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A § 21A-1, the Town has declared a clear public policy that housing transactions — including sales, leases, and financing — must be conducted without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin. Property owners and managers operating in Brookhaven generally align their practices with this policy by applying consistent, non-discriminatory criteria across all applicants and transactions. Operators familiar with this foundational statement of policy are better positioned to understand the intent behind the more specific requirements found elsewhere in Chapter 21A.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A § 21A-1 affirms that every person in the Town has a right to access housing — whether by renting, purchasing, or obtaining financing — free from discrimination based on race, creed, color, or national origin. Tenants who believe this policy has been violated in connection with a housing transaction may have grounds to raise that concern under Chapter 21A's broader framework. Tenant-rights organizations and fair housing agencies can help individuals understand what options may be available when this foundational policy appears to have been disregarded.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

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Policies; recommendations

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