ARE YOU A VICTIM
OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION?
You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help.
WHAT WE DO
The Fair Housing Law Center provides education, advocacy and legal representation to victims of housing discrimination.
We work to make all members of our communities aware of their fair housing rights, but, most importantly, we stand up for those who have been discriminated against. If your rights have been violated, we can provide assistance in enforcing those rights through legal advice and recommendations, all at no charge to you.
The Center is licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its local federal district. Litigation falling outside of these jurisdictions are referred to other agencies providing similar protections, where appropriate.
HOW WE CAN HELP
AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING
We are steadfast in our efforts to embody the strongly held values of fair access and equal opportunity in housing.
EDUCATION
The Center uses education and outreach programs to inform community members about illegal acts affecting themselves or others under the Fair Housing Act.
TRAINING AND MATERIALS
The Fair Housing Law Center provides extensive materials and training programs to individuals and organizations. Contact us to request a program or receive materials for free.
LEGAL COUNSEL AND REPRESENTATION
Our attorneys can offer you legal counsel and representation in court. If you are outside our jurisdiction, we will refer you to a trusted partner organization who can best help you.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS – AND WHEN
THEY'VE BEEN VIOLATED
The federal Fair Housing Act defends the rights of seven protected classes – race, religion, color, national origin, gender, disability and familial status. If you have been denied housing, and you believe it was because of one of these classes, you have rights. This applies when you are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance or engaging in any other housing-related activities.
Click here to see specific activities that are illegal according to the Fair Housing Act.
REPORT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION THAT VIOLATES YOUR FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS
If you believe you have been discriminated against in your efforts to find housing, reach out to us today. Our attorneys will be able to guide you to the best resources for your situation, including providing legal counsel and representation, if appropriate. Any help you may receive from us is completely free to you.
The work we do is funded by generous donors who wish to uphold the rights of the most vulnerable members of our community. Please consider joining this cause by donating today.
FAIR HOUSING NEWS
The Fair Housing Law Center Settles Claims Against Clearfield County Landlord
The court entered a consent order in Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid v. Tabone, Philip P. LP, et al. The complaint alleges that Defendants refused to rent to families with children, made discriminatory statements based on familial status and race, refused to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, and engaged in unlawful steering practices based on familial status and race. Under the terms of the consent order, Defendants will refrain from owning, leasing, managing, or otherwise offering for rent any property for residential occupancy. Under the terms of the consent order, Defendants will pay $2,500 in monetary damages to Southwestern PA Legal Aid.
Court Enters Consent Order in Venango County Sexual Harassment Case
The court entered a consent order in United States v. Woodcock (W.D. Pa.). The complaint, which was filed on April 12, 2021, alleges that defendants Allen and Heidi Woodcock, who own and manage the subject property, discriminated on the basis of sex in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The consent order permanently enjoins Allen Woodcock from directly or indirectly performing any property management responsibilities including performing or supervising repairs or maintenance, advertising, showing or renting dwelling units, and negotiating rent and security deposits, and requires Defendants to pay $13,000 to the female tenant and forgive any outstanding back rent or other amounts she purportedly owes. Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid's Fair Housing Law Center represented the female tenant.
United States Filed a Complaint against Butler County Housing Providers
The United States filed a complaint in United States v. Perry Homes (W.D. Pa.), alleging that, Defendants, who own and/or operate three rental properties in Cranberry, Zelienople and Harmony, Pennsylvania, had a blanket practice of excluding emotional support animals (“ESA”) from dwellings that they owned or managed, causing injury to Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid (“SPLA”), a non-profit legal aid organization whose mission includes combating housing discrimination. The Complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief as well as damages for SPLA.
