Second Class City Code News Today

HARRISBURG – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania found that a Pittsburgh ordinance which forbid landlords from denying rental units to tenants who use federal housing vouchers was not legal under the state’s Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and thus, was unconstitutional to business.

Carolyn Kaster / AP After a years-long court battle, a case before Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court this week could have a big impact on affordable housing in Pittsburgh for tenants who rely on subsidized housing vouchers and landlords. At issue is an ordinance passed by Pittsburgh City Council in 2015 forbidding landlords in the city from discriminating against tenants based on “source of income,” such as a Housing Choice Voucher, commonly referred to as a Section 8 voucher. Shortly aft...