All Is Fair in Love and Housing

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Course Details

The federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHA) effectively prohibits placing additional zoning requirements on a community residence for people with disabilities when that residence otherwise meets the zoning code requirements for other residential uses.

The Pittsburgh Department of City Planning (DCP) is working with other community leaders to ensure that the City’s Zoning Code complies with the FHA to:

  • Better align with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania‘s regulatory standards;
  • Provide additional flexibility and opportunity for the development of housing; and
  • Make it easier for applicants and communities to understand the zoning regulations around group living uses.

DCP created a working group with members of the City Council and planning commission, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, and housing advocates and service providers to help inform the changes.

These fair housing amendments give group housing service providers greater clarity and flexibility to provide much-needed services without altering the look and feel of neighborhoods, and open new opportunities and pathways for reusing existing and former institutional buildings.

Learning Outcomes

  • Ensure that your zoning code complies with the federal Fair Housing Act.
  • Engage with community stakeholders, government partners, and group housing providers to develop changes that remove barriers to creating group housing options throughout a city.
  • Understand how changes to regulations around fair housing and group housing typologies can help to address larger housing challenges.
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