Housing Discrimination and Fair Housing
Legal Information
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Housing Discrimination and Fair Housing issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - How the Fair Housing Act affects you
Information from the Fair Housing Law Center on the provisions of the Fair Housing Act that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on membership in certain protected classes.
Reasonable Accommodation Housing
Various federal laws require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for individuals with disabilities. Federal nondiscrimination laws that protect against disability discrimination cover not only tenants and home seekers with disabilities, but also buyers and renters without disabilities who live or are associated with individuals with disabilities. These laws also prohibit housing providers from refusing residency to people with disabilities or placing conditions on their residency because they require reasonable accommodations or modifications. The Fair Housing Law Center provides information on these issues.
Housing Discrimination Complaint - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Information on how to file a housing discrimination complaint online with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development using Housing Discrimination Complaint, Form HUD-903.1. Online version also available in Spanish. Other foreign language versions of the complaint form are available for download.
Landlord Tenant Handbook
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services (NPLS). Fair housing (housing discrimination) information is included throughout the entire handbook. There is a Lehigh Valley Edition and a Northeast PA Edition. NPLS revised the Landlord-Tenant Handbook in December 2019.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Housing Discrimination Complaint - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Information on how to file a housing discrimination complaint online with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development using Housing Discrimination Complaint, Form HUD-903.1. Online version also available in Spanish. Other foreign language versions of the complaint form are available for download.
PAHousingSearch.com
This is a free resource from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and other Commonwealth partners to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget. Property providers can list available apartments or homes at any time, which means the listings are current. The web site lets you define what you want in your next living space, and then it does all the research – presenting you with the relevant housing vacancies that best fit your parameters in the community where you want to live.
A Disabled Tenant’s Rights to A Reasonable Accommodation
Information from MidPenn Legal Services on when a tenant may be eligible for a reasonable accommodation from a landlord when renting a home or apartment. [PDF] (June 2011)
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - How the Fair Housing Act affects you
The Fair Housing Act protects individuals’ fair housing rights from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance or engaging in other housing-related activities. Additional protections apply to federally-assisted housing. The Fair Housing Law Center provides information about about these protections.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - How the Fair Housing Act affects you
Information from the Fair Housing Law Center on the provisions of the Fair Housing Act that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on membership in certain protected classes.
Reasonable Accommodation Housing
Various federal laws require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for individuals with disabilities. Federal nondiscrimination laws that protect against disability discrimination cover not only tenants and home seekers with disabilities, but also buyers and renters without disabilities who live or are associated with individuals with disabilities. These laws also prohibit housing providers from refusing residency to people with disabilities or placing conditions on their residency because they require reasonable accommodations or modifications. The Fair Housing Law Center provides information on these issues.
Discrimination and Erie Human Relations Commission (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA on 3-27-2008. Information regarding discrimination, specifically relating to education, housing and sexual orientation, how to file a complaint with the Erie (PA) Human Relations Commission.
Landlord Tenant Handbook
Detailed information about renting a residence from a landlord from North Penn Legal Services (NPLS). Fair housing (housing discrimination) information is included throughout the entire handbook. There is a Lehigh Valley Edition and a Northeast PA Edition. NPLS revised the Landlord-Tenant Handbook in December 2019.
Housing Discrimination
Information on the law applicable to housing discrimination from the Erie County Bar Association. (August 2018)
Fair Housing -- It's Your Right
Description of the protection from housing discrimination offered by the Fair Housing Act from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (May 2010)
The Fair Housing Act
Information on housing discrimination and the Fair Housing Act from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All
Information on the Fair Housing Act from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. [PDF] (2011)
Housing Discrimination - Filing A Complaint
Information for those renting or home buyer a home who believe their rights have been violated. Details on fair housing complaints
PAHousingSearch.com
This is a free resource from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and other Commonwealth partners to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget. Property providers can list available apartments or homes at any time, which means the listings are current. The web site lets you define what you want in your next living space, and then it does all the research – presenting you with the relevant housing vacancies that best fit your parameters in the community where you want to live.
The Fair Housing Act: An Overview for People with Disabililties
This Fact Sheet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides a brief overview of the rights and remedies afforded by the Fair Housing Act to people with disabilities. [PDF]
A Place of My Own - How The ADA Is Creating Integrated Housing Opportunities For People With Mental Illnesse
Information from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law on the how the “integration mandate" of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires public entities to administer their services to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, should be applied to housing. [PDF] (March 2014)
What "Fair Housing" Means for People with Disabilities
This booklet from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is written for people with disabilities who want to rent a home. It will help you recognize illegal discrimination and put an end to it. [PDF] (April 2018)
Discriminatory Zoning and the Fair Housing Act
This booklet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to acquaint people with disabilities, advocates, providers, and attorneys with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and, in particular, its impact on state and local zoning laws and land use regulations. [PDF] (April 2018)
Right to Emotional Support Animals in "No Pet" Housing
Information from the Bazelon Center on Mental Health Law on the right of disabled persons to have service animals in housing. (June 2017)
Disability Rights Pennsylvania Resource Publications
Publications from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on a variety of disability-related issues.
National Fair Housing Alliance
Website of the National Fair Housing Alliance, the only national organization dedicated solely to ending discrimination in housing. It is a consortium of more than 220 private, non-profit fair housing organizations, state and local civil rights agencies, and individuals from throughout the United States.
Publications from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
List of Publications from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. The Bazelon Center produces reports, issue papers, and manuals that analyze major federal laws, policies, and regulations that affect access to services and the rights of people with mental disabilities.
Structural Modifications In Public And Section 8 Housing
Information from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law on the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for structural modifications for disabled persons in public and Section 8 housing. [PDF]