Housing Law Commons^™

Toward “The Most Freedom”: Decriminalizing Sex Work Alleviates Housing Discrimination And Housing Instability Faced By Sex Workers In New York City, Bianca B. Li

Journal of Law and Policy

While sex work has been incrementally decriminalized in New York City, statutes that criminalize some forms of sex work remain good law in New York City and generate potentially life-altering penalties for sex workers who are arrested or convicted under these laws. This leads to complications for sex workers who seek to rent apartments. The New York City Human Rights Law, the City’s anti-discrimination statute, does not offer explicit protection to sex workers against housing discrimination, and two criminal laws penalize property owners for allowing sex work to occur on or near their premises. This Note explores the shortcomings of …