Category Archives: Uncategorized

Levittown Apartment Complex Pays $80,000 for Failure to Make Reasonable Accommodations for Residents with Disabilities

The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania (“HECP”), Jane Moyra Flannery, and an additional Bucks County resident 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. In May of 2018, HECP received a complaint from Ms. Flannery who lived at Brittany Springs Apartments in Levittown, Pennsylvania. She needed reasonable accommodations for a transfer to a first floor unit and a reserved parking space near her unit due to a disability that impaired her ability to walk long distances. HECP assisted Ms. Flannery

Read More


New Fair Housing for Local Governments Manual Available

HECP has developed a new comprehensive manual for local governments on their responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. This guide is designed to provide local governments, including elected officials, municipal staff, zoning board members, and solicitors, an introduction to fair housing as it relates to their role in setting and implementing local policy concerning residential uses. The manual includes detailed information on fair housing issues in zoning and land use, design and construction requirements, nuisance and crime-free housing ordinances, affirmatively furthering fair housing, and increasing fair housing choice for residents and constituents. You can download an electronic copy of the

Read More


HECP’s COVID-19 Update

To minimize risk to our staff, clients, and partners, the Housing Equality Center will be following guidance provided by the Montgomery County and Pennsylvania Health Departments for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak. All staff are teleworking and will be available by both phone and email to assist with complaints of housing discrimination, provide technical assistance on fair housing, and schedule and deliver trainings via webinar. We will still accept requests for print materials, although delivery of publication orders may be delayed. Thank you for your patience as we adjust our programing to this situation. As always, you may consult

Read More


New Reasonable Accommodation Manual Available

Housing discrimination against people with disabilities often takes the form of housing providers refusing to permit reasonable accommodations or reasonable modifications that allow individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their dwelling. HECP has developed a new comprehensive manual on reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications for persons with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act. This resource includes detailed instructions for requesting reasonable accommodations and modifications, information on medical verifications and assistance animals, sample accommodation and modification requests, and rights and responsibilities of both consumers with disabilities and housing providers under the Fair Housing Act. You can download

Read More


Allentown Apartment Complex Pays $60,000 for Discriminating Against Families with Children

The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania (“HECP”) 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. HECP conducted an investigation of Devonshire Park, a 271 unit Allentown apartment complex that identified itself as “active adult” in its marketing materials. The investigation documented that prospective renters representing adult households were shown available units and invited to apply, while households with children were told that all residents were required to be over the age of 21 and that the

Read More


Fair Housing News – October 2019

The Housing Equality Center offers education and training programs to consumers, social service agencies, and housing professionals. Participants receive accurate, clear, and up-to-date information about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.


Fair Housing News – September 2019

Help shape the future of the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania by completing this brief survey. Your insights and ideas will help us set strategic goals for the future to advance our mission and ensure that consumers have access to housing and understand their rights under fair housing laws.


HECP Needs Your Input!

Help shape the future of the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania by completing this brief survey. The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization leading the effort to eliminate housing discrimination through education, advocacy and enforcement of fair housing laws. Your insights and ideas will help us set strategic goals for the future to advance our mission and ensure that consumers have access to housing and understand their rights. Your answers will remain confidential and will only be used for the purpose of helping us develop our strategic plan for 2020-2022. Please help us with this plan by completing

Read More


Fair Housing News – August 2019

A recent settlement in a fair housing case in Virginia has resulted in the development of a model policy for housing providers that avoids discrimination in screening prospective tenants for criminal history.


Fair Housing News – June 2019

In partnership with the Bucks County Office of Community and Economic Development, the Housing Equality Center is offering a free fair housing compliance webinar from 12:00-1:00pm on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. This training will cover basic provisions of the Fair Housing Act, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing obligations for recipients and subrecipients of federal funding, and technical issues for local governments such as zoning and land use, code enforcement, reasonable accommodations, and group homes for persons with disabilities.