Senators Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester County, third from left, and Timothy Kearney, D-Delaware County, take part in the rally. Legislators and supporters rally for the LGBTQ House ‘Fairness Act’ bill. The bill would protect an individual against discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
April 26, 2023.
Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com
By Caroline Griffin
America stands for the promise of equal opportunity for all. Unfortunately, at a time when America should be working to fulfill that promise, we are faced with concerning rollbacks of key federal housing protections—especially for our most vulnerable neighbors within our communities.
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Recent policy shifts by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) signal a retreat from the federal government’s long-standing commitment to fair housing enforcement. This includes the sidelining of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule—an essential safeguard meant to ensure that communities proactively dismantle segregation and expand affordable housing opportunity.
Equally alarming is HUD’s recent track record of dismissing housing discrimination complaints, particularly those filed by transgender Americans, whose right to safe and stable housing is increasingly under threat.
Additionally, HUD proposed regulations last year that aimed to change how criminal backgrounds are considered in public housing, including guidelines on look-back periods. These regulations were withdrawn earlier this year, reflecting the ongoing debate and reconsideration of policies related to criminal history screening in housing.
These changes have real consequences. For those among us seeking stable housing or in need of more affordable housing – possibly just trying to make ends meet – in many states will find themselves out of luck and out of options for housing.
For transgender Americans—who already face disproportionate rates of homelessness, eviction, and housing denial—turning a blind eye to discrimination is not just bad policy; it’s a matter of survival. When our federal institutions withdraw from enforcing the Fair Housing Act, they send a dangerous message: that some people’s rights are negotiable.
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However, Pennsylvania will not echo that message.
Under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, all Pennsylvanians are protected from housing discrimination—regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and other protected characteristics. While federal enforcement falters, our commitment remains firm. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal for yout to be refused housing, charged different rates, or be subjected to unequal terms because of who you are. That includes transgender individuals and members of other marginalized communities.
To those who have faced discrimination in seeking a place to live: you are not alone, and you are not without recourse. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) urges you to file a complaint. Our mission is to investigate and, when necessary, litigate housing discrimination claims to ensure fair treatment for all residents of the commonwealth. We are here to listen. We are here to act.
In a just society, the right to safe and equitable housing cannot be selective. It must be defended—especially when federal protections falter. Pennsylvania will continue to lead with integrity, enforce the law, and protect the dignity of every person who calls Pennsylvania home.
If you or someone you know has experienced housing discrimination, contact the PHRC. You can call the PHRC at 717-787-4410 or email PHRC at phrc@pa.gov. Learn more about your rights and protections at www.pa.gov/agencies/PHRC.
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Your voice matters—and we are ready to hear it.
Caroline Griffin is Director of Fair Housing and Commercial Property, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two firefighters traveling in a utility vehicle along a Pennsylvania road during a search for a missing woman were killed in a head-on crash with a car, officials said.
The two members of the Walnuttown Fire Company died after the crash with a Toyota Camry at about 6 p.m. Saturday, roughly 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. Fire Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick Jr. were heading north when they were struck by a sedan heading south on Route 222, according to the Berks County Coroner.
NBC Philadelphia reported that the utility vehicle was riding on the shoulder of Route 222 when the Camry swerved off of the road. Police told the station that a male and a female who were in the Camry when it crashed fled and were later arrested.
Video from the crash scene shows the utility vehicle on its side.
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No further details about the arrest or the search for the missing woman were immediately available Sunday.
A call and an email seeking information were made to the Fleetwood Police Department.
Autopsies on the firefighters, both residents of Fleetwood, were scheduled for Monday.
“At this time we would like to send our thoughts and prayers” to the Shick and Buck families, the Walnuttown Fire Company said in a Facebook post. “Rest easy chiefs, we got it from here.”
A toddler was lightly injured by a wolf at a Pennsylvania theme park zoo after he crawled under a fence and stuck his hand into the animal’s enclosure, officials at the zoo confirmed Sunday.The child was never inside the wolf habitat at the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, which is part of the Hersheypark theme park, and the officials characterized the injuries as minor without elaborating.After the “unsupervised” child reached the metal enclosure around the wolf habitat on Saturday morning and put his hand through, a wolf approached “and made contact with the child’s hand,” according to a statement from the zoo.”This type of response is consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression,” the zoo said in a statement. “Our habitats are designed with multiple layers of protection, and clear signage and barriers are in place to help ensure safe viewing. Guests are expected to remain within designated areas and closely supervise children at all times.”The zoo is part of the entertainment complex in Hershey, Pennsylvania, featuring a chocolate-themed amusement park. The zoo’s website says it has three gray wolves.Hersheypark made headlines last summer when a lost boy wandering a monorail line above a crowd was rescued by a park visitor who climbed onto a building and jumped onto the rails. The child was unharmed and reunited with his family.
HERSHEY, Pa. —
A toddler was lightly injured by a wolf at a Pennsylvania theme park zoo after he crawled under a fence and stuck his hand into the animal’s enclosure, officials at the zoo confirmed Sunday.
The child was never inside the wolf habitat at the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, which is part of the Hersheypark theme park, and the officials characterized the injuries as minor without elaborating.
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After the “unsupervised” child reached the metal enclosure around the wolf habitat on Saturday morning and put his hand through, a wolf approached “and made contact with the child’s hand,” according to a statement from the zoo.
“This type of response is consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression,” the zoo said in a statement. “Our habitats are designed with multiple layers of protection, and clear signage and barriers are in place to help ensure safe viewing. Guests are expected to remain within designated areas and closely supervise children at all times.”
The zoo is part of the entertainment complex in Hershey, Pennsylvania, featuring a chocolate-themed amusement park. The zoo’s website says it has three gray wolves.
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Hersheypark made headlines last summer when a lost boy wandering a monorail line above a crowd was rescued by a park visitor who climbed onto a building and jumped onto the rails. The child was unharmed and reunited with his family.
Michigan State football has locked in an official visit with an intriguing defensive back prospect from Pennsylvania.
Trey Hopkins of Wyndmoor, Pa. announced on Saturday that he’s scheduled an official visit to Michigan State for late May. According to a social media post from Hopkins, he will visit Michigan State on May 29.
Hopkins is currently unranked and unrated on 247Sports. He is listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, and plays for La Salle College. His position is listed as cornerback.
Michigan State extended Hopkins an offer in late February, and is one of nearly 20 schools to offer him, according to 247Sports. Other than his offer from the Spartans, Hopkins has received offers from Penn State, Maryland, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Wake Forest, USF, Temple, James Madison, Liberty, Miami (OH) and some other group of five or FCS programs.
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Michigan State will be the first of three currently scheduled official visits for Hopkins. According to 247Sports, he will also take official visits to Virginia Tech (June 5) and Penn State (June 11).
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
