In September HUD published a new rule which makes it more difficult prove discrimination under the Fair Housing Act based on disparate impact, or policies by housing providers, municipalities, insurers, or financial institutions that have a discriminatory effect on members of protected classes.
News
Fair Housing News – September 2020
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.
Fair Housing News – July 2020
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.
Fair Housing News – June 2020
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.
Fair Housing News – May 2020
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.
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
Fair Housing News – April 2020
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.
Fair Housing News – March 2020
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.
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
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