Fair Housing Notice

PHFA is an equal opportunity lender, employer and provider of services and activities. The Agency does not engage in or condone activities which illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, familial status or any other protected classification under federal or state law.

Fair Housing Protection

Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, it is illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status (e.g. have one or more children under 18 years of age in a household) with respect to the following activities:

Refuse to negotiate for housing or otherwise make housing unavailable or deny dwelling;
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling;
Provide different housing services or facilities;
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental;
Advertising the sale or rental of housing;
Access to or membership in a facility or service related to the sale or rental of housing; or,
For profit, inducing or attempting to induce any person to sell or rent housing by making representations regarding the entry into the neighborhood of person(s) of a particular race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national original (blockbusting).

In mortgage lending, it is illegal to take any of the following actions based on race, color, national original, religion, sex, familial status or disability:

Refuse to make a mortgage loan;
Refuse to provide information regarding loans;
Impose different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points or fees;
Discriminate in appraising property;
Refuse to purchase a loan; or,
Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan.

It is also illegal for anyone to:

Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right; or
Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability – this applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.

Protection if you have a Disability

If you or someone you reside with:

Have a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, or intellectual disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities);
Have a record of such a disability; or,
Are regarded as having such a disability.

Your landlord may not:

Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the person with a disability to use the housing. When reasonable, your landlord may permit changes only if you agree to restore the property to its original condition when you move; or
Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for the person with a disability to use the housing.

In Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act provides additional protection from a practice or policy (in employment, housing and public accommodation opportunities) that discriminates against individuals or groups because of their race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, use of guide or support animals because of the blindness, deafness or physical disability of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of a support of guide animal.

If you believe you have been discriminated against

If you believe you have been discriminated against in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD offers interpreters, tapes, Braille materials and other forms of assistance in reading and completing forms.

Philadelphia Regional Office of FHEP
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107

215.861.7646
1.888.799.2085
TTY 215.656.3450

If you believe you have been discriminated against under the benefits or services from the Department of Treasury – Community Development Financial Institutions send your complaint letter to:

Associate CHCO
Office of Civil Rights and Diversity
1500 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20220

If you believe you have been discriminated against under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, contact:

PA Human Relations Commission (PHRC)
Executive Offices
333 Market St., 8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101

717.787.4410
TTY 717.787.7279

If you are unsure if your allegations are covered under federal or state laws, contact PHRC and they will assist you in filing your complaint with the proper agency; or, contact:

Chief Counsel
Fair Housing Officer
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
211 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

717.780.3849
Fax 717.780.3804