National Fair Housing Month

National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act, a national law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. The Act was passed in in 1968 and amended in 1988 to include protections for people with disabilities and families with children.

Senate Democratic Caucus to Kick Off Fair Housing Month, Call for Housing Funding Legislation

April 2, 2025

Housing is a Fundamental Right

The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats will continue to fight for:

Equitable housing rights for all Pennsylvanians

Access to safe and affordable housing for all, including low-income earners and veterans

Transparency in laws, processes, and opportunities for homeowners and renters

An end to loopholes that perpetuate discriminatory and negligent practices by landlords

Financial assistance to help homeowners manage property costs and taxes related to rapid changes to neighborhoods and the effects of climate change

Fair Housing for All

Pennsylvania Housing Grants and Assistance

Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF)

As of March 18, 2024, the PAHAF program has reopened and is accepting applications.  

Pennsylvania was awarded $350 million for the administration of the program and the disbursement of funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Currently, the Pennsylvania Housing Financing Agency estimates that $48-$50 million in remaining PAHAF funds will be available to eligible new applicants for pandemic-related mortgage reinstatement, forward mortgage assistance, tax assistance, and delinquent utility bills.

For more information on the program, eligibility, and how to apply, visit the PAHAF website, or check out this list of FAQs.

Last updated April 8, 2024

Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE)

PHARE is intended to assist with the creation, rehabilitation, and support of affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth.

For more information on available funds and programs, visit the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency website.

Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program

HEMAP was created to protect Pennsylvanians who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. HEMAP is a loan program to prevent foreclosure. It is not a grant. Funds loaned must be repaid. Recipients must be able to show that they have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe. HEMAP is funded by State appropriations and through repayment of existing HEMAP loans. Please note that FHA Title II (purchase) mortgages are not eligible under this program.

Two types of assistance are available to the homeowner depending on income and the financial situation:

  • continuing mortgage assistance loans; and,
  • non–continuing mortgage assistance loans.

PHARE is intended to assist with the creation, rehabilitation, and support of affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth.

For more information on the program, visit the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency website.

Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit

Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program helps create affordable housing in the United States. Created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the LIHTC program gives State and local LIHTC-allocating agencies the equivalent of approximately $8 billion in annual budget authority to issue tax credits for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of rental housing targeted to lower-income households. In Pennsylvania, the federal tax credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and approved by its board.

Learn more online.

 

Home Investment Partnership Program

Pennsylvania HOME Program

The Pennsylvania HOME Program is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians. HOME funds can be used in a variety of ways to address critical housing needs in the Commonwealth, including market-oriented approaches that offer opportunities such as homeownership or rental activities to revitalize communities with new investment.

Learn more and apply online.

Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)

The Neighborhood Assistance Program is a tax credit program meant to encourage businesses to invest in projects which improve distressed areas.

A project must serve distressed areas or support neighborhood conservation. Projects must fall under one of the following categories: affordable housing programs, community services, crime prevention, education, job training or neighborhood assistance. A tax credit of up to 55% can be awarded.

Individuals can view the Neighborhood Assistance Program application checklist to help guide the application submission.

Learn more and apply online.

Filing a Complaint Against Discrimination

PHRC - ​File A Complaint

Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against or any representative of such a person may file a confidential complaint with the local government, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and/or HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in Washington DC. More information is available from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

OUR PRIORITIES

2025-2026 Legislation

Senate Bill 497 - Radon Protection

Sponsored by Senator Christine Tartalione

This bill would require all residential rental properties, schools, and newly constructed properties in the Commonwealth to receive proper radon testing. If the property is found to have an unsafe level of radon, mitigation will be required to abate the toxic level of radon that exists.

Statewide Rental Rate Protections

Sponsored by Senator Amanda Cappelletti

This legislation would enforce rental rate protection measures to help combat unfair and predatory rental increases.  It is important to note that this legislation exempts small landlords with less than 15 units.

Public Database of Affordable Housing

Sponsored by Senators Vincent Hughes and Nikil Saval

This bill would create a publicly accessible database of affordable housing projects in the Commonwealth under PHFA.

Optional Affordable Housing Trust Funds (Act 137) Enhancements

Sponsored by Senator Amanda Cappelletti

This bill would enhance the Optional Affordable Housing Funds Act. This program, known as Act 137, allows Pennsylvania counties to raise revenues for affordable housing needs by increasing fees charged for the recording of deeds and mortgages. These funds are an important source of revenue and contribute to a wide range of affordable housing projects in the 54 counties that have them in place. This bill will increase the maximum fee counties can impose under the Act 137 program and index it for inflation. It will also establish a Local Housing Trust Fund Community of Practice, to offer regular opportunities for information exchange among Act 137 contacts around the state.

Creating the “Survivor-centered, accessible, fair and empowering” (SAFE) Housing Trust Fund

Sponsored by Senator Vincent Hughes 

This bill would establish the SAFE housing trust fund that will benefit survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, human trafficking and stalking. The “Survivor-centered, accessible, fair and empowering” (SAFE) Housing Trust Fund will provide much needed funding to increase resources to domestic violence programs, transitional housing programs and permanent housing solutions to better respond to the needs of these survivors. It will ensure we do more to provide real support to the individuals leaving dangerous situations and ensure there are enough resources to meet shelter and housing needs.

Property Tax Constitutional Amendment for Seniors (formerly SB1075)

Sponsored by Senator Marty Flynn

This bill would empower local officials to make decisions related to property taxes that best fit their locales, while also providing opportunities for much needed property tax relief to senior citizens.

Fair Records for Renters

Sponsored by Senators Nikil Saval, Jay Costa, Judy Schwank and Camera Bartolotta

This bill would require courts to seal eviction case files unless and until a renter loses the case in court, at which point the records would be unsealed. In instances in which a tenant has lost their case, records will be sealed after seven years, similar to bankruptcy. The bill would require no additional costs or requirements for landlords or renters, as the courts would be responsible for sealing and unsealing eviction records.

Ensuring All Residential Homeowners Have Access to Solar Energy

Sponsored by Senator Katie Muth 

This bill would ensure homeowners’ associations (HOA) allow for the installation of solar panels and solar energy systems on homes within their communities.

Our Members at Work

Advocates & Resources

US House of Representatives

US House of Representatives

Phone: 202-225-3121

United States Senate

US Senate

Phone: 202-224-3121

National Fair Housing Alliance

National Fair Housing Alliance

Phone: 202-898-1661
https://nationalfairhousing.org/

Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania

Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania

Phone: 267-419-8918
https://www.equalhousing.org/

Fair Housing Rights Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Fair Housing Rights Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Phone: 215-625-0700
https://fairhousingrights.org/

Regional Housing Legal Services

Regional Housing Legal Services

Phone: 215-572-7300
https://www.rhls.org/

Philadelphia NAACP

Urban League of Philadelphia

Phone: 215.985.3220
https://www.urbanleaguephila.org/

Philadelphia NAACP

Philadelphia NAACP

Phone: 215-278-2216
https://www.naacpphillybranch.org/

    The Reinvestment Fund

    The Reinvestment Fund, authors of Mortgage Lending Activity Report

    Phone: 215-574-5800
    https://www.reinvestment.com/

    Community Legal Services

    Community Legal Services

    Phone: 215-981-3700 
    https://clsphila.org/

    PACDC

    PACDC

    Phone: 215-732-5829
    https://pacdc.org/

    Housing Alliance

    Housing Alliance

    Phone: 215-576-7044
    https://housingalliancepa.org/

    PHFA

    Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

    Phone: 1-855-827-3466
    https://www.phfa.org

      Department of Human Services

      Department of Human Services

      https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs.html