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2026 Press Releases
NYC Commission on Human Rights Steps Up Enforcement, Orders More Than $682,000 in Relief, August 4, 2026
“When the rights of New Yorkers are violated, government should act with urgency to provide relief,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights. “As head of this Commission, I am committed to delivering fair and timely decisions that hold those who violate the law accountable. When businesses refuse to comply with our antidiscrimination laws, there will be real, financial consequences. New Yorkers deserve to live and work without having to worry about losing their job because of their faith, losing access to their home because of a disability, or being unable to rent an apartment simply because they have a housing voucher or other public assistance. And New Yorkers deserve a Commission that moves with the urgency that this work demands.”
View Full Press Release on CCHR Stepping Up Enforcement
New York City Commission on Human Rights Helps Tenant with Disability Obtain an Accessible Apartment, Fourteen Months’ Free Rent, and Damages from her Landlord, July 22, 2026
"Having a place to call home doesn’t mean anything if you can’t get through the front door,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights. “Every New Yorker deserves to live with dignity, regardless of disability; and when landlords and property owners fail to meet their responsibility to tenants, the Commission will enforce the law and make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to housing.”
View Full Press Release on Bronx Management Settlement
Mayor Mamdani Releases "Rental Ripoff Report," Outlining New Actions to Crack Down on Hazardous Housing Violations and Deceptive Landlord Practices, July 16, 2026
"As we heard throughout the hearings, poor housing conditions fall hardest on communities of color and other historically marginalized New Yorkers," said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “There is no room for discrimination in New York City. Enforcing the law isn’t just about compliance, it's about protecting people's dignity and ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to live in safe, stable, and affordable housing. The Commission will continue to hold landlords and brokers accountable when they break the law and will stand with New Yorkers fighting for safe, equitable housing.”
Read Full Press Release on Rental Ripoff Report
NYC Commission on Human Rights Opposes Trump Administration Proposal to Roll Back Equal Access Housing Protections, July 14, 2026
“The Trump Administration's proposed rule is part of a broader effort to weaken civil rights protections, sow fear, and stands in contrast to the City Human Rights Law,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights. “The Commission will continue using every tool available to protect New Yorkers, including speaking out against policies that threaten equal access to housing.”
View Full Press Release on CCHR’s Opposition to Trump Proposal
Project Access For All & NYC Commission On Human Rights Announce Seventh Annual Hybrid Disability Unite Festival Celebrating Disability Pride, July 6, 2026
“New Yorkers with disabilities deserve equal access to housing, jobs, public transportation, and medical care, including the necessary tools and accommodations to fully participate in public life," said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. "We cannot fulfill the promise of equality while spaces continue to exclude people with disabilities. Disability Unite is a powerful celebration of community, and a reminder that we all have a role to play in building a more equitable future.”
View Full Press Release on Disability Unite Festival
Statement from Commissioner and Chair Christine Clarke on City Funding for the NYC Commission on Human Rights, July 1, 2026
"I am deeply grateful to Mayor Mamdani, Speaker Julie Menin, Civil Rights Committee Chair Sandy Nurse, and the New York City Council for recognizing the critical role the Commission on Human Rights plays in protecting New Yorkers from discrimination, retaliation, and harassment. I also want to thank the advocates, community partners, and New Yorkers who continue to stand alongside us in this work."
Read Full Statement on CCHR Funding
Joint Statement from Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and the Commission on Human Rights on the Supreme Court Decision Permitting the Exclusion of Transgender Athletes from School Sports, June 30, 2026
“While the Supreme Court today has chosen to permit states to explicitly discriminate against transgender students, the reality on the ground in New York City remains unchanged. The City of New York will continue to be a place where transgender students can play the sports they love and be treated at all times with dignity and respect."
"It has been and continues to be unlawful in the State and City of New York to discriminate against anyone, including students, simply because they are transgender or intersex. Under the New York Constitution as well as New York City and State law, transgender and intersex students, like all students, remain eligible to participate in athletic opportunities consistent with who they are. This Administration has and will continue to stand with transgender New Yorkers, as well as transgender people across the country who will suffer as a result of today’s decision.”
Download PDF of Statement on SCOTUS Decision
New York City Commission on Human Rights Delivers Over $1 Million for New Yorkers, Helps Saves City $3 Million in Shelter Costs, June 15, 2026
“When New Yorkers are turned away from housing because they use a voucher, when they are treated unfairly at work, or denied access to their homes because of a disability, we step in,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “Our work is not only about individual cases, but about addressing institutional discrimination wherever it shows up, so that New Yorkers are not pushed out of opportunity and into instability.”
Read Full Press Release on Major 2026 Commission Accomplishments
Transcript: Christine Clarke, Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Appears on Spectrum News “News All Day," June 9, 2026
"The most important thing for us is that every New Yorker knows that New York City Law hasn’t changed. And the New York City government has the backs of trans people and will constantly protect them and enforce transgender discrimination laws no matter what happens at the federal level."
Read Full Transcript of Commissioner Clarke's Appearance on Spectrum News
New York City Commission on Human Rights Introduces “Visitors’ Rights in NYC” Resource Hub Ahead of Major Global Events, June 9, 2026
“There's no place like New York City, and the New York City Human Rights Law makes sure people feel comfortable here and enjoy their time in the city,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “These new materials clearly explain those rights and how to get help, because New York City is for everyone.”
Read Full Press Release on Visitors’ Rights Resource Hub
Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Clarke Launch “Trans Rights are Human Rights” Campaign to Protect Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming New Yorkers, June 1, 2026
“Attacks on transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers coming from the federal government do not stop at the federal level—they can shape how people are treated in housing, work, and public spaces across our city,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “When New Yorkers are directly targeted, we have a responsibility to step in, and the Commission is responding by making protections clear and visible across all five boroughs.”
Read Full Press Release on Trans Rights campaign
Transcript: Christine Clarke, Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Appears on The Brian Lehrer Show, May 4, 2026
“I never thought about coming to this agency, but I was recruited by advocates who wanted to see some change at the agency and really wanted to take advantage of this new administration. I really couldn't think of anything better to do with my skill set and my career, both as a lawyer and as a manager of large nonprofits, than to work with this administration, as you were talking about at this time, when there's this huge vacuum where the federal government used to be in terms of civil rights enforcement, where the courts used to be in large part. I think the idea of joining this administration in this incredible experiment of seeing how much we can do at the city government level to fill the gaps and keep New Yorkers safe, and I'm really excited to be able to do that.”
Read Full Transcript of Commissioner Clarke's Appearance on Brian Lehrer
NYC Commission on Human Rights and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Release Updated Immigrant Rights Resources, April 13, 2026
“At a time when immigrant rights are under attack, navigating your rights can feel overwhelming, especially across language barriers. Now, more important ever, it is important to provide clear, accessible resources to help New Yorkers understand and exercise their rights under the New York City Human Rights Law,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “Launching these resources at this critical moment is part of a broader citywide effort to support immigrant New Yorkers, celebrate their contributions, and reaffirm that the City proudly stands with them.”
Read Full Press Release on Updated Immigrant Rights Resources
10th Annual LGBTQ+ Community Iftar to Celebrate a Decade of Ummah in New York City, March 5, 2026
"Many LGBTQ+ Muslims balance their faith, gender, and sexual orientation in a world that doesn’t always make room for all parts of who they are,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “The New York City Commission on Human Rights works every day to enforce the protections in the New York City Human Rights Law, ensuring that every New Yorker can live openly, participate in their communities, and practice their religion without fear. We are proud to co-produce the 10th Annual LGBTQ+ Community Iftar to stand with this community and support those protections.”
Read Full Press Release on LGBTQ+ Community Iftar
Statement from the New York City Commission on Human Rights on the Rise of Antisemitism in New York City, February 23, 2026
"Bias, discrimination, and hate have no place in New York City. The New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) unequivocally condemns antisemitism levied against individuals and institutions.
"The New York City Human Rights Law protects everyone from unlawful discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. The New York City Commission on Human Rights is committed to enforcing that law for all New Yorkers and stands with the Jewish Community against acts of hate."
Download full statement from CCHR on the Rise of Antisemitism
Statement from Commissioner Christine Clarke on NYU Langone Closing the Transgender Youth Health Program, February 18, 2026
"The New York City Commission on Human Rights is deeply troubled by the decision from NYU Langone to close the Transgender Youth Health Program, which provided essential health care to transgender young people. No one should face bias or discrimination when accessing basic services based on their gender identity. Decisions about health care should be guided by health needs, not political pressure, and this vital loss of services puts transgender young people and their families in a vulnerable position.
"The NYC Commission on Human Rights stands firmly with the transgender community. We have been and will continue to investigate claims of discriminatory denial of health care services, and we remain committed to continuing to enforce the New York City Human Rights Law to ensure that all New Yorkers can live, work, and thrive with dignity."
Download PDF of Commissioner Clarke’s Statement on Trans Youth Health Program
New York City Announces 12 Community Project Grant Winners to Combat Hate and Bias at Grass-Roots Level, February 16, 2026
"Community-led work is critical to preventing hate and addressing the conditions that allow bias to take hold," said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. "These grants support New Yorkers who are doing the hard, meaningful work of bringing people together, strengthening relationships, and helping build a city where everyone belongs."
Read full press release on Community Project Grant
Statement from NYCCHR Commissioner Christine Clarke on the Anti-Muslim Attacks in Bay Ridge, February 5, 2026
"The NYC Commission on Human Rights stands in solidarity with the Muslim community during this deeply troubling time. No one should ever face harassment or intimidation because of their faith."
"The recent attacks senselessly targeted three women, including a 12-year-old girl, in a heartbreaking reminder of the violence that hate can bring into our neighborhoods. I want the community to know that we are here to listen, provide guidance, and stand with New Yorkers against discrimination."
Download PDF of Commissioner Clarke’s Statement on Anti-Muslim Attacks
New York City Commission on Human Rights Orders Bronx Landlords to Pay Over $150,000 for National Origin Discrimination in Housing, January 27, 2026
As a result of this Decision and Order, the Commission directed the Respondent to:
• Pay $50,000 in emotional distress damages to the Complainant
• Reimburse Complaint $8927.50 for out-of-pocket expenses, plus predetermination interest
• Pay a $100,000 civil penalty to the City of New York
• Cease and desist their unlawful discriminatory conduct
• Create a written anti-discrimination policy, complete anti-discrimination training and submit to a Commission audit
• Post the Commission’s Fair Housing Poster in all buildings where they rent to members of the public
Read full press release on Decision and Order
Statement From Commissioner Annabel Palma Opposing Proposed Federal Rule Targeting Transgender Care, January 20, 2026
"The New York City Commission on Human Rights strongly opposes the proposed federal rule 'Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.' Although it is framed to be about particular words in a federal law, in practice it will harm the transgender and gender nonconforming community."