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 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
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.
Home Investment Partnership 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.
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.
Filing a Complaint Against Discrimination
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 Resolution 260 - Recognizing April 2026 as Fair Housing Month in Pennsylvania
Sponsored by Senator Amanda Cappelletti and Senator Nikil Saval
This resolution recognizes April 2026 as “Fair Housing Month” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Expanding the use of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) for Housing
Sponsored by Senator Vincent Hughes
This bill would remove the cap on housing projects currently in the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) law. This would allow the program to better support the housing needs of the Commonwealth and make significant progress on closing our housing unit gap.
Landlord-Tenant Act Modernization
Sponsored by Senator Nikil Saval and Senator John Kane
This bill is designed to set clear guidelines for terms and conditions of a lease agreement. A landlord will be required to provide information regarding rent amount and due date, term of the lease, disclosure of a landlord’s rental license issued by a municipality as applicable, a utility and property maintenance disclosure, a reliable contact to act on behalf of the property. This legislation also sets clear rules for habitability and condition of a rental property and allows the landlord to set reasonable rules for the premise.
SB 1152 - End Housing Discrimination Based on Lawful Source of Income
Sponsored by Senator Katie Muth and Senator Carolyn Comitta
This bill would prohibit property owners from denying housing to individuals based solely on their lawful source of income, including housing vouchers, pension payments, child support, and public assistance.
SB 1148 - Protections for Older and Disabled Tenants
Sponsored by Senator John Kane and Senator Amanda Cappelletti
When an individual is unable to safely remain in their rental unit and needs to relocate to a facility with the services and accommodations they need, they are often unable to break their rental lease without penalty. This bill would allow a tenant who is older or disabled to break their lease without penalty when they are unable to safely remain in their home.
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.
Mixed-Use Development Tax Credit (MUDTC) Program Increase
Sponsored by Senator Jay Costa
This bill would amend the Tax Reform Code to increase the cap on the amount of available tax credits under the Mixed-Use Development Tax Credit (MUDTC) Program from $4.5 million to $15 million. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to fund the development of projects in targeted areas of the Commonwealth that are often underserved and have significant need.
Senate Bill 1216 - Rental Application Fee Cap
Sponsored by Senator Judy Schwank
To create a more equitable housing market for all Pennsylvanian renters, this bill would provide for rental application fee caps. Landlords should not be permitted to utilize the application process as an opportunity for additional revenue. Excessive rental application fees can rapidly become an inadvertent obstacle to renters.
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.
Protect Pennsylvania Homeownership from Wall Street Act
Sponsored by Senator Maria Collett and Senator Nikil Saval
This legislation would restrict tax breaks for large investors and private equity firms planning to buy more of the state’s existing stock of homes and aims to help more families achieve homeownership across the Commonwealth.
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.
Senate Bill 1267 - Increasing Penalties for Housing Discrimination
Sponsored by Senator Vincent Hughes and Senator Art Haywood
This legislation would increase the penalties for housing discrimination violations. It also increases the time an individual has to file a complaint from 180 days to 365 days.
Senate Bill 1203 - Removing Unnecessary Barriers to Homeownership
Sponsored by Senator James Malone
Homeownership has long been one of the most reliable pathways to financial stability and the creation of generational wealth. Yet for far too many Pennsylvania families, the ability to pass a home on to the next generation is hindered by “tangled” or unclear property titles. This legislation creates a framework for counties to resolve unclear titles with small estate primary residence affidavits. These affidavits would apply to primary residences with an assessed value under $150,000, ensuring that families with limited means have a practical path to securing legal ownership.
Homelessness and Housing Stability Council
Sponsored by Senator Maria Collett
This bill would create a Homelessness and Housing Stability Council dedicated to addressing homelessness and housing instability. This council will collaborate with the Department of Community & Economic Development to develop a comprehensive strategy that includes actionable policy recommendations.
SB 1256 - Increasing the Number of Accessory Dwelling Units
Sponsored by Senator Maria Collett
This legislation would remove unnecessary barriers to building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs can be built without purchasing land and can be a more affordable source of housing. Some ADUs are newly constructed, stand-alone structures; others may be an addition to an existing home.
SB 1089 – Shelter First Act
Sponsored by Senators Nikil Saval, Amanada Cappelletti, Vincent Hughes, Timothy Kearney and Judith Schwank
This bill would require that municipalities provide adequate indoor spaces for people experiencing homelessness before the municipality can enforce any ordinance that would criminalize living outside.
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
Pa Senators Put Forth Bold Legislation to Keep Residents in their Homes
HARRISBURG, PA − March 23, 2021 − New legislation introduced by Senators Katie Muth (D–Montgomery/Chester/Berks), Steve Santarsiero (D–Bucks), and Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) will ensure Pennsylvanians are able to stay safely housed...
Senate Democrats Correct Record on Housing Assistance Program
Pennsylvania − December 22, 2020 − Pennsylvania Senate Democrats seek to correct the record regarding the failure of the General Assembly to address housing insecurity due to COVID 19. Recent press coverage has outlined that $108 million of $175 million intended...
Senator Haywood, Hughes, Street announce $175 million housing assistance program
Senator Haywood Comments on Legislation in Support of State Housing Tax Credits
Harrisburg – January 29, 2020 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement about legislation passed in the State Senate to increase affordable housing in Pennsylvania: “Prior to joining the State Senate, I was a lawyer for...
Advocates & Resources
US House of Representatives
Phone: 202-225-3121
US Senate
Phone: 202-224-3121
National Fair Housing Alliance
Phone: 202-898-1661
https://nationalfairhousing.org/
Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania
Phone: 267-419-8918
https://www.equalhousing.org/
Fair Housing Rights Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Phone: 215-625-0700
https://fairhousingrights.org/
Regional Housing Legal Services
Phone: 215-572-7300
https://www.rhls.org/
Urban League of Philadelphia
Phone: 215.985.3220
https://www.urbanleaguephila.org/
The Reinvestment Fund, authors of Mortgage Lending Activity Report
Phone: 215-574-5800
https://www.reinvestment.com/
Community Legal Services
Phone: 215-981-3700
https://clsphila.org/
PACDC
Phone: 215-732-5829
https://pacdc.org/
Housing Alliance
Phone: 215-576-7044
https://housingalliancepa.org/
Whole Home Repairs
