by Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) will celebrate Fair Housing Month with several events and programs. Fair Housing Month is recognized in April to commemorate the signing of the Fair Housing Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability.
“56 years ago today, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “His tragic death led to the signing, just a week later, of the Fair Housing Act, a landmark civil rights law. Dr. King talked about the relationship between fair housing and race and how many Black Americans were forced to low-income areas with poor housing conditions. Having a place to live is a human necessity and I am proud that the PHRC has so many terrific and educational events to offer to the citizens of Pennsylvania.”
This month, the PHRC is sponsoring the following events:
- 2024 Housing Equality Conference in Pittsburgh
- Tuesday, April 16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The David L. Lawrence Center
- This event is currently sold out.
- Fair Housing Empower Hour: Housing & Domestic Violence
- Wednesday, April 24, 12 to 1 p.m.
- To RSVP to this virtual event, register here.
- Survivors of domestic violence should not lose their housing because of their abusers’ actions. Learn more about how fair housing protections apply to situations involving domestic violence.
- Restrictive Covenants: Confronting Pennsylvania’s History of Housing Discrimination Through Act 54
- Friday, April 26, 1 to 2 p.m.
- Featuring Marshal Granor, President, Granor & Granor PC
- To RSVP to this virtual event, register here.
- Restrictive covenants exist on many Pennsylvania properties, in deeds and other documents. What can you do when your search includes discriminatory racial or religious covenants? Learn how the new Act 54 allows repudiation of these relics of housing discrimination.
- Navigating Utility Access and Equity Webinar
- Co-hosted by PHRC and The Pennsylvania Utility Law Project
- Tuesday, April 30, 12 to 1:30 p.m.
- To RSVP to this virtual event, click here.
- In this interactive session, participants will delve into critical topics surrounding utility, affordability, fair housing, and the intersection between housing equity and utility access.
- PHRC Speaks: Fair Housing in the 21st Century
- Sunday, April 28, 3 to 3:30 p.m.: “Leadership in Housing Justice,” featuring PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW on PCNtv.
- In this series, The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Director of Enforcement, Adrian Garcia, explores issues and opportunities that shape access to housing for residents in the Commonwealth of PA.
- Previous episodes are available at PHRC Speaks (pcntv.com).
The PHRC will conduct the following trainings:
- April 9, Lancaster County Association of Realtors, virtual Fair Housing training.
- April 10, Department of Community & Economic Development, virtual Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing training.
- April 12, Luzerne County Association of Realtors, Fair Housing training in Luzerne County.
- April 24, Action Wellness, Fair Housing training in Philadelphia.
PHRC will also be participating in the following events:
- Saturday, April 27: PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW, will be a speaker during the AREAA Greater Philadelphia Fair Housing Symposium & Expo.
- Monday, April 29: PHRC will participate in a panel discussion during the City of Reading Fair Housing Month event.
“Unfortunately, housing discrimination is still a reality for many people,” said PHRC Director of Fair Housing & Commercial Property Caroline Eister. “One way to stop it is through education. It is our hope at the PHRC that through our events and trainings we can provide buyers, renters, real estate professionals, attorneys, and more with the knowledge they need to stop housing discrimination and ensure housing equality.”
Throughout the year, the PHRC provides fair housing training to provide housing professionals with the knowledge they need to navigate fair housing situations within their professions, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have equal access to housing opportunities. More information about PHRC’s training resources is available here.
The PHRC, the state’s civil rights enforcement agency, urges anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination or hate to file a complaint by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available at www.PHRC.pa.gov. Follow the PHRC on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
