Franklin County is committed to furthering fair housing choice for all persons.
Fair housing refers to unimpeded and equal access to residential housing—in other words, housing choice. According to the federal Fair Housing Act, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status in the sale, rental, and/or financing of dwellings. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age (over 40) and the use of a support animal.
Fair Housing is your right.
The County of Franklin is dedicated to adhering to the regulations set forth by the Fair Housing Act: Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).
Franklin County, as a recipient of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through Pennsylvania’s Department of Economic and Community Development (DCED), complies with the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Resources
The following resources are available to assist those Franklin County residents who believe they have experienced discrimination in housing, rental, sales, or financing because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, or familial status:
Local Contacts
MidPenn Legal Services
Franklin County Legal Services
U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
Analysis of Impediments
As an entitlement of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds, an analysis of impediments is performed every five years to uncover any obstacles to fair housing. Should you wish to have a copy of this report, please contact the County of Franklin’s Fair Housing Officer Misty Conner.
Fair Housing Rights and Obligations
Fair Housing Act Protection For People With Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued guidance regarding the applicability of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to a housing provider’s consideration of a person’s limited English proficiency (LEP). LEP refers to a person’s limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English. Although LEP individuals are not a protected class under the FHA, there is a close connection between LEP and national origin, which is a protected class under the FHA. Because a person’s primary language usually derives from his or her national origin, the FHA prohibits housing providers from using an individual’s LEP as a basis for an adverse housing decision. A housing provider can violate the FHA by either intentionally discriminating against people with LEP or using LEP in a way that causes an unjustified discriminatory effect.
For more information, visit the HUD website.
Call 211 to speak with a housing specialist and get help today.
FAQs
Who can I contact for answers to other questions about fair housing?
Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Commission has a toll-free Fair Housing Hotline – 855-866-5718 – for questions related to fair housing and for assistance with filing fair housing complaints.
Alternatively, Franklin County residents can contact the Harrisburg Regional Office:
333 Market Street, 8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2210
Phone: 717-787-9780 or 717-787-7279 (TTY users only)
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HUD’s Regional Office in Philadelphia can also answer questions related to fair housing.
Philadelphia FHEO Center
100 Penn Square East, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Who can I contact if I believe I’ve been discriminated against?
Complaints may be filed with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Complaints related to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status may also be filed directly with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by calling 1-800-669-9777 or online.
What are some examples of housing discrimination?
- Refusing to rent or sell housing
- Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
- Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale or rental of a dwelling
- Refusing to let disabled persons make reasonable and necessary modifications to a dwelling or common use area, at the disabled person’s expense
- Refuse to provide information regarding loans
- Advertising or making any statement indicating a limitation or preference based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.
What kind of housing is covered by the Fair Housing Act?
Most housing is covered by the Fair Housing Act. In some circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
