FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2023
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission celebrates Fair Housing Month
This year commemorates 55 years since the passing of the Fair Housing Act
Harrisburg, PA- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will celebrate Fair Housing Month with several events and programs happening throughout the month of April. 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.
"Having a place to live is a basic human necessity, said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. "This Fair Housing Month, we recognize the accomplishments of the Fair Housing Act, but we also acknowledge the long history of housing discrimination that persists today. PHRC is committed to creating equitable housing opportunities. Under the expertise and leadership of Adrian Garcia, we continue to move the social justice needle forward in pursuits of housing equality."
This month, PHRC is sponsoring the following virtual events:
- Beyond the Headlines: Coming Together to Address Appraisal Bias
- 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 12
- Registration for this event is required, please click here to RSVP.
- This virtual event will explore the history and context of inequalities in home appraisals, offering the opportunity for dialogue on this current fair housing issue. It will feature appraisal bias scholar, Dr. Junia Howell, and fair housing experts Jeffrey May and Michael B. Mitchell.
"A racial homeownership gap persists today as a result of decades-long discriminatory housing practices, including appraisal bias," said Jaime Milligan, Esq., Deputy Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid. "We are excited to partner with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to sponsor this event which will provide a foundation for understanding what appraisal bias is and how to combat it. The Fair Housing Law Center is committed to ensuring that home appraisals in Pennsylvania are free from racial and ethnic bias. We are dedicating significant resources over the next year to educate Pennsylvanians on the various forms of bias that appear in residential property valuations and to challenge discriminatory appraisals that prevent wealth-building in communities of color."
- Redlining: Yesterday & Today
- 12-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26
- Registration for this event is required, click here to RSVP.
- This virtual training will focus on the 20th century practices of redlining and how it has shaped racial housing inequalities in the United States. Adrian Garcia, PHRC's Director of Fair Housing & Commercial Property will share about how redlining impacts housing opportunities today and what actions can be taken to address this issue.
- PHRC Speaks: Fair Housing in the 21st Century
- In this series, The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission explores issues and opportunities that shape access to housing for residents in the Commonwealth of PA.
- Aired episodes are available at PHRC Speaks (pcntv.com)
- The following episodes will air during Fair Housing Month:
- Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis with Dr. Charles Gallagher, La Salle University
- 3-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 2.
- Broadcast on PCNtv
- Housing Justice: Inside the Process with Gloria Richardson, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
- 3-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 16.
- Broadcast on PCNtv
PHRC is also participating in the following events:
- Let's Make Unfair Housing History
- 10-11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 3.
- PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter will give the keynote address during this virtual webinar hosted by the Tri-County Suburban Relators.
- Click here to register for this event.
- Fair Housing in Action Forum
- 5:30-7 p.m. on Monday, April 3.
- United Lutheran Seminary- Gettysburg Campus, Valentine Hall, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA.
- This is an in-person conversation hosted by the Adams County Advisory Council to the PHRC at United Lutheran Seminary, featuring fair housing information and local housing resources.
- Fair Housing Month Speaker Series
- Assistance Animals, 9-10 a.m. on April 21
- This virtual session, presented by PHRC Director of the Pittsburgh Regional Office Lyle Wood, will cover the basics, best practices, and the do's and don'ts of handling requests by persons with disabilities to have an assistance animal in public housing.
- Fair Housing & Hoarding, 9-10 a.m. on April 28
- This virtual session, presented by PHRC Director of Fair Housing and Commercial Property Adrian Garcia, will discuss what the Fair Housing law says about hoarding situations.
- Fair Housing & Civil Rights Conference
- 12-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11
- presented by the Massachusetts Fair Housing Initiative
- PHRC Executive Director will be offering the keynote address.
- Registration for the full virtual conference is available here.
- Community Fair Housing Celebration
- 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11
- hosted by Kennett Area Community Services & state Rep. Christina Sappey
- PHRC staff will provide book readings and fair housing materials at this community event.
- Fair Housing Month Summit
- 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22
- hosted by Tenfold
- PHRC Director of Housing & Commercial Property, Adrian Garcia, will participate in the Pink Rose Fair Housing Month Panel, discussing current housing issues and protections for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.
- Attendees may participate in person at the Rivertown Pride Center, 324 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA or online.
- Additional summit details are available here.
- Fair Housing Connection Summit: Bridging the Gap between programs, policies, & people
- April 28 & 29
- hosted by the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations & other local partners.
- Pittsburgh Regional Director Lyle Wood will participate in a panel discussion on fair housing rights and staff will have a booth to share fair housing materials.
In addition to hosting and participating in Fair Housing Month events, the Fair Housing and Commercial Property Division is hosting two listening sessions with the state legislature. One is for constituent affairs staff members to discuss current and emerging housing needs. The second is for state lawmakers to learn more about what fair housing protections exist and what policies can be implemented to improve housing access. Later this month, the Fair Housing Division will also release a White Paper about the state of Fair Housing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This paper will include actionable recommendations for PHRC staff, commissioners, legislators and fair housing partners. More details will be released at a later point.
Lastly, PHRC leadership and staff will provide fair housing trainings in communities throughout Pennsylvania in April, providing 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 Fair Housing and Commercial Property Division is excited about the activities we have planned for this Fair Housing Month," said PHRC Fair Housing and Commercial Property Director, Adrian Garcia. "We hope to provide important information to those interested in learning more about how Pennsylvania can end housing discrimination. Though we have events planned this month, we work year-round enforcing housing laws and providing training for stakeholders. "
About PHRC: PHRC, the state's leading social justice enforcement agency, urges anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination or hate to file a complaint with the PHRC by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available at www.PHRC.pa.gov.