Community Development: Fair Housing
DCD
Chester County Department of Community Development

{Blue Gradient Bar}
Director:
Patrick Bokovitz
 
 
Contact us:
Sign up to receive DCD updates!

* required

*
*

*











Email Marketing by VerticalResponse
Financial Stability Partnership 
 
Predatory
Lending Initiative
 

Fair Housing
Fair Housing Education in 2009
DCD partnered with the Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia and the Chester County Planning Commission to provide seminars and workshops on fair housing, as it relates to zoning and land use. 
 
{Fair Housing Seminar Photo}
FHCSP Education Specialist, Sarale Sewell, presented information about
the Fair Housing Act to public and private planners working in Chester County.
Interested in participating in future seminars related to Fair Housing?  Email ccdcd@chesco.org.
 
How much do you know?
{Square Bullet} Take the Fair Housing Quiz!
{Square Bullet} Are you a victim of housing discrimination?
{Square Bullet} Facts Every Parent Should Know...
{Square Bullet} Meet Frankin, "The Fair Housing Fox."
{Square Bullet} Promote Fair Housing!
 
 
Fair Housing Resources

As the grantee of HUD's housing and community development entitlement funding, Chester County certifies that it will affirmatively further fair housing.  DCD funds fair housing services and supports education about fair housing laws.

Federal and State law prohibits discrimination in housing based on a person's race or color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, age, or the use of support animals.

Fair Housing Laws

The Federal Fair Housing Act and the PA Human Relations Act prohibit discrimination in housing based on: 

  • Race or color;
  • National origin or ancestry;
  • Religion;
  • Sex;
  • Familial status (families with children under age 18);
  • Disability or handicap;
  • Use of guide dogs or support animals; or
  • Age (40 and above).
 Local Fair Housing Resources

The agencies listed below are available to provide information and referrals and to provide assistance in investigating and processing housing discrimination complaints.

Community Impact Legal Services (CILS)
Provides fair housing counseling and referrals to public and private resources, as appropriate.  Also provides legal services for civil cases including landlord/tenant disputes and other housing-related issues.

For more information, contact CILS at:
1003 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
(610) 436-9150 or (800) 967-9150

Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia
Provides advice and legal assistance to those who feel they have experienced discrimination or harassment. Also investigates claims of discrimination through testing and conducts educational programs about fair housing laws.

For more information, contact the Fair Housing Council at:
225 S. Chester Road, Suite 1, Swarthmore, PA 19081
(610) 604-4411

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP)
Provides legal support to enforce compliance with fair housing laws, prevent discriminatory evictions, pursue monetary damages, and confirm suspected discrimination through independent testing.

For more information, contact PILCOP at:
125 S. 9th Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-7100

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC)
Enforces compliance with federal and state fair housing and employment discrimination laws by investigating, processing, resolving, and/or litigating   discrimination complaints. Also, publishes regulations and guidelines and provides technical assistance.

For more information, contact PHRC at:
1400 Spring Garden Street, Suite 711, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 560-2496 or (215) 560-3599 (TDD)

HUD Fair Housing Enforcement Center
Enforces compliance with the Fair Housing Act by investigating, processing, resolving, and/or litigating housing discrimination complaints.

For more information, contact HUD at:
The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(888) 799-2085 or (215) 656-0649

NOTE: HUD has certified the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission as having substantially equivalent authority, procedures, and remedies available. Therefore, HUD will refer most housing discrimination complaints to PHRC for processing.

U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service
Helps state and local officials prevent and resolve racial and ethnic conflict, violence, and civil disorder and restore community racial stability and harmony.

For more information, contact the Department of Justice at:
200 Chestnut Street, #208, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 597-2344



Content Last Modified on 8/3/2009 1:40:04 PM
Show Images  
 
 
If you have questions, please contact DCD at 610-344-6900
 
 
Copyright © 2004 County of Chester, Pennsylvania. All Rights Reserved.