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.
Fair Housing is Your Right - Use It! (Video)
Federal, state and local laws promote fair housing and prohibit housing discrimination. This video from North Penn Legal Services explains your right to Fair Housing. (2021)
Know Your Rights as a Renter in Pennsylvania
This website from the Home Equality Center of Pennsylvania will help to guide you through a successful renting experience by providing general information and self-help resources regarding state and federal Fair Housing laws and Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Law as it pertains to the rental of private residential property.
Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment and Housing
Have you experienced unwanted touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, comments, or gestures in your rental housing? Fair housing laws may help you. This brochure prepared by the National Housing Law Project and provided through MidPenn Legal Services offers information on your right to be free from sexual harassment in rental housing.
Landlord Tenant Handbook
Detailed information about renting a residence 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 updated the Landlord-Tenant Handbook in July 2025.
Reasonable Accommodation Housing
Various federal laws require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for 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.
Report Housing Discrimination - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
If you believe your rights may have been violated, you are encouraged to report housing discrimination. Because there are time limits on when an allegation can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should report housing discrimination as soon as possible. When reporting housing discrimination, please provide as much information as possible. This webpage from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides options for reporting discrimination, including an online form.
Understand Fair Housing Laws in Pennsylvania
Fair Housing laws make it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on a protected class. Learn more about these laws from the Houaing Equality Center of Pennsylvania including the types of housing covered by the Fair Housing Act, protected scenarios, disabilities & accessibility, and what to do if you think you have experienced housing discrimination.
Report Housing Discrimination - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
If you believe your rights may have been violated, you are encouraged to report housing discrimination. Because there are time limits on when an allegation can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should report housing discrimination as soon as possible. When reporting housing discrimination, please provide as much information as possible. This webpage from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides options for reporting discrimination, including an online form.
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.
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.
Report Housing Discrimination - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
If you believe your rights may have been violated, you are encouraged to report housing discrimination. Because there are time limits on when an allegation can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should report housing discrimination as soon as possible. When reporting housing discrimination, please provide as much information as possible. This webpage from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides options for reporting discrimination, including an online form.
A Disabled Tenant's Rights to 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)
Fair Housing is Your Right - Use It! (Video)
Federal, state and local laws promote fair housing and prohibit housing discrimination. This video from North Penn Legal Services explains your right to Fair Housing. (2021)
Hoarding: Know Your Rights
This handbook provides information for people who struggle with hoarding, clutter, and home maintenance problems. The handbook is available in English and Spanish, and in English for the visually impaired. (November 2014)
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: Sexual Harassment and Housing
Have you experienced unwanted touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, comments, or gestures in your rental housing? Fair housing laws may help you. This brochure prepared by the National Housing Law Project and provided through MidPenn Legal Services offers information on your right to be free from sexual harassment in rental housing.
Landlord Tenant Handbook
Detailed information about renting a residence 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 updated the Landlord-Tenant Handbook in July 2025.
PhillyTenant.Org
PhillyTenant.Org is your resource for tenant rights in Philadelphia. PhillyTenant.org is the product of a collaboration of legal services and advocacy organizations in Philadelphia including: AIDS Law Project; Community Legal Services; Dechert LLP; HELP: MLP; Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center @ Municipal Court; Legal Clinic for the Disabled; Legal Help Center; Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Philly VIP; Regional Housing Legal Services; SeniorLAW Center; and Tenant Union Representative Network. The information provided on PhillyTenant.org is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice or representation, tenants should seek legal help.
Reasonable Accommodation Housing
Various federal laws require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for 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
Information on the law applicable to housing discrimination from the Erie County Bar Association. Federal and Pennsylvania state law forbids discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin or whether there are children in your family in connection with the purchase, financing or rental of residential property. Depending on the circumstances, if you have been discriminated against for any of these reasons you may have a legal cause of action against the person or organization responsible. (August 2018)
Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment and Housing
Have you experienced unwanted touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, comments, or gestures in your rental housing? Fair housing laws may help you. This brochure prepared by the National Housing Law Project and provided through MidPenn Legal Services offers information on your right to be free from sexual harassment in rental housing.
PhillyTenant.Org
PhillyTenant.Org is your resource for tenant rights in Philadelphia. PhillyTenant.org is the product of a collaboration of legal services and advocacy organizations in Philadelphia including: AIDS Law Project; Community Legal Services; Dechert LLP; HELP: MLP; Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center @ Municipal Court; Legal Clinic for the Disabled; Legal Help Center; Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Philly VIP; Regional Housing Legal Services; SeniorLAW Center; and Tenant Union Representative Network. The information provided on PhillyTenant.org is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice or representation, tenants should seek legal help.
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.
Report Housing Discrimination - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
If you believe your rights may have been violated, you are encouraged to report housing discrimination. Because there are time limits on when an allegation can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should report housing discrimination as soon as possible. When reporting housing discrimination, please provide as much information as possible. This webpage from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides options for reporting discrimination, including an online form.
The Fair Housing Act
Information on housing discrimination and the Fair Housing Act from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions and homeowners insurance companies whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons because of race or color; religion; sex; national origin; familial status; or disability.
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)
Know Your Rights as a Renter in Pennsylvania
This website from the Home Equality Center of Pennsylvania will help to guide you through a successful renting experience by providing general information and self-help resources regarding state and federal Fair Housing laws and Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant Law as it pertains to the rental of private residential property.
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.
PhillyTenant.Org
PhillyTenant.Org is your resource for tenant rights in Philadelphia. PhillyTenant.org is the product of a collaboration of legal services and advocacy organizations in Philadelphia including: AIDS Law Project; Community Legal Services; Dechert LLP; HELP: MLP; Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center @ Municipal Court; Legal Clinic for the Disabled; Legal Help Center; Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Philly VIP; Regional Housing Legal Services; SeniorLAW Center; and Tenant Union Representative Network. The information provided on PhillyTenant.org is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice or representation, tenants should seek legal help.
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)
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.
Understand Fair Housing Laws in Pennsylvania
Fair Housing laws make it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on a protected class. Learn more about these laws from the Houaing Equality Center of Pennsylvania including the types of housing covered by the Fair Housing Act, protected scenarios, disabilities & accessibility, and what to do if you think you have experienced housing discrimination.
What "Fair Housing" Means for People with Disabilities
This PDF guide from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health is for anyone with a disability who is looking to rent a home—from an apartment to a house. While it focuses on renting, the same rights and rules also apply to buying a home or getting a mortgage. Landlords, real estate agents, housing advocates, and developers will also find this information helpful. (2017)
PhillyTenant.Org
PhillyTenant.Org is your resource for tenant rights in Philadelphia. PhillyTenant.org is the product of a collaboration of legal services and advocacy organizations in Philadelphia including: AIDS Law Project; Community Legal Services; Dechert LLP; HELP: MLP; Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center @ Municipal Court; Legal Clinic for the Disabled; Legal Help Center; Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Philly VIP; Regional Housing Legal Services; SeniorLAW Center; and Tenant Union Representative Network. The information provided on PhillyTenant.org is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice or representation, tenants should seek legal help.