In August HUD replaced the 2015 Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Rule with the Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice Rule. It is important to note that, although this new rule removes the fair housing assessment and reporting requirements of the previous rule, it does not remove the Fair Housing Act obligation to affirmatively further fair housing.
DOJ recently approved a consent order resolving allegations that Traditions of Hanover, a senior housing apartment complex in Bethlehem, PA, violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against residents and prospective residents with disabilities.
The events of the past weeks have been a time of rage, grief, frustration, reckoning, and hope. HECP joins the nation in mourning and outrage over the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and David McAtee.
HECP and two Bucks County residents entered into a conciliation agreement resolving federal housing discrimination complaints against Brittany Springs Apartments and HUB Realty for violating the disability portion of the federal Fair Housing Act.
People who currently have COVID-19, those who have a history of having the virus, and those who are perceived as having the virus may be protected against housing discrimination under long-standing interpretations of the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws.
Many Pennsylvania courts are closed due to the current coronavirus emergency and landlord tenant complaints, including evictions, cannot be processed at this time. As a result, landlords may attempt to remove tenants illegally. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing windows or doors, or turning off utilities) are illegal.
A frequent question that HECP receives from both consumers and landlords is whether a certificate from an online service claiming to certify a pet as an emotional support is a sufficient verification when requesting a reasonable accommodation.
HUD has released new guidance clarifying how housing providers can comply with the Fair Housing Act when assessing requests from a consumers to have an assistance animal as a reasonable accommodation.
The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania and Lehigh County resident, Brittany Bernard, have entered into a settlement agreement resolving allegations that Devonshire Park Apartments violated the federal Fair Housing Act by refusing to rent to families with children.
The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania (“HECP”) and the Arbor Insurance Group (“Arbor”) entered into a conciliation agreement, resolving allegations that the company discriminated against African American and Hispanic testers who called to request quotes for homeowners insurance. Arbor signed an agreement that will result in the company adopting an affirmative marketing plan and an initiative focusing on community education. Arbor also pledged to donate to the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (“CACLV”) and its FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM. Arbor employees will be on hand at seminars with first-time homebuyers to discuss the benefits and technical aspects of homeowners