New bill looks to protect refugees, immigrants from housing discrimination

PITTSBURGH — Housing discrimination in Pittsburgh has become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to city leaders, but new legislation expands protections for refugees and immigrants.

Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger is sponsoring the new bill on housing discrimination that city leaders introduced Tuesday during a virtual news conference.

Since the pandemic began, the Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission has experienced an increase of complaint. Those complaints include landlords who denied a person housing based on their perceived immigration or citizenship status.

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“People all over the city of Pittsburgh are already facing extraordinary levels of stress right now. Discrimination and harassment should not be added to that already heavy load,” Staussburger said.

City code already prohibits housing and public accommodation discrimination based on race, sex and religion. The new bill expands on that.

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