LGBTQ+ Discrimination and HUD Equal Access and Gender Identity Rules
Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ have legal recourse if they experience housing discrimination in any housing transaction or housing-related financial transaction. Under Executive Order 13988, federal protections regarding sex discrimination in housing have been expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. On February 11, 2021, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity stated that they would begin enforcing the Fair Housing Act to prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and believe they have been discriminated against in any housing-related transaction can now file a complaint with HUD.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) also includes “sex” as a protected class. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) issued guidance in 2018 stating that the term “sex” under the PHRA may refer to sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, transgender identity, gender transition, gender identity, and/or gender expression depending on the individual facts of a case.
Many municipalities throughout Pennsylvania have passed anti-discrimination ordinances to include protections for those who identify as LGBTQ+. Check with your city, township, or borough to find out what protections are available in your specific locality.
Equal Access and Gender Identity Rules
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued regulations in 2012 entitled Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity. These regulations mandate that housing providers who receive HUD funding or receive Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured loans and FHA lenders must ensure equal access without regard to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. The 2012 HUD LGBT Rule applies to all HUD funded programs including Section 8 (housing vouchers), Public Housing, Community Development Block Grants, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), Supportive Housing for the Elderly and Persons with a Disability and FHA insured loans. The rule does not apply to private housing providers who do not receive HUD funding.
Equal Access in Accordance with an Individual’s Gender Identity in Community Planning and Development Programs was published by HUD in 2016. This rule mandates that equal access is to be provided in all HUD assisted programs. Providers that operate single-sex projects, such as homeless shelter facilities, are required to provide all individuals, including transgender individuals and other individuals who do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth, with access to programs, benefits, services, and accommodations in accordance with their gender identity. HUD assisted housing programs cannot require individuals to “prove” their gender identity and may not ask invasive questions or request medical verification. Transgender participants may not be segregated or isolated from other participants in shelter facilities. Non-discriminatory steps must be taken to address safety and privacy concerns of transgender participants, however, participants may refuse any offered accommodations that they do not want.
If you live in Philadelphia, Southeast Pennsylvania or Lehigh Valley and have questions about LGBTQ+ or sex discrimination, local anti-discrimination ordinances or the HUD Equal Access or Gender Identity rules, contact info@equalhousing.org, 866-540-FAIR or complete an online form.
Resources: