The Fair Housing Act bars discrimination in housing based on race, sex or disability -- now a new state law is adding income discrimination to that list.

The new law was part of a recent budget agreement barring landlords from discriminating against tenants who use Section 8 housing vouchers and veteran benefits to pay rent. Westchester already has a similar law on the books.

Studies show this type of income-based discrimination impacts women and minorities the most. Right now, more than 600,000 New Yorkers receive supplemental income, many of whom are disabled or elderly.

Fair housing advocates say income discrimination is a huge problem, and though the new law will not completely solve the situation, it does help.

"The bottom line is we have yet to deal with the major issue, which is the issue of local towns, local communities preventing the building of affordable housing," says Alexander Roberts, of Community Housing Innovations.

Advocates say they will be doing an outreach push to make sure renters and landlords are informed about the new law.