Several coalitions and advocacy groups came together on Friday to call on the city’s elected officials to back the Fair Chance for Housing Act.  

The bill would stop landlords from discriminating against people with criminal history looking to rent. One of the advocates for the act says that if these people don’t have that protection, those who have served time are being robbed of a chance to restart their life.  

"It's time to end discrimination against people with conviction records. People with conviction records… they're our friends, they're our colleagues, our coworkers,” said Andre Ward, member of the Fair Chance for Housing Coalition.  

These concerned New Yorkers are also asking the city to end solitary confinement and held a virtual rally for that cause after claiming the Board of Corrections isn’t planning to hold a public meeting this month.