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File #: 2025-2242    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: To Be Presented
File created: 9/12/2025 In control: Committee on Human Resources
On agenda: 9/16/2025 Final action:
Enactment date: Enactment #:
Effective date:    
Title: Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title Six Conduct, Article V, Chapter 651.04 by adding the definition for the protected class of "housing status," amending 659.03 to include "past or present housing status" as a class protected from housing discrimination as well as simplifying 659.03 by not listing each protected class in each subsection.
Indexes: PGH. CODE ORDINANCES TITLE 06 - CONDUCT
Attachments: 1. 2025-2242 Cover Letter Housing Status Code change - Letter to Council 2025.08.26, 2. Summary 2025-2242
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Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title Six Conduct, Article V, Chapter 651.04 by adding the definition for the protected class of "housing status," amending 659.03 to include "past or present housing status" as a class protected from housing discrimination as well as simplifying 659.03 by not listing each protected class in each subsection.

Body
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Amend Article V, Chapter 651.03 by adding the definition of "housing status" as follows:

(ccc) HOUSING STATUS - The actual or perceived type of housing in which an individual resides, or previously resided in, whether publicly or privately owned; or the status of not having a fixed residence, including the status of living on the streets or in a homeless shelter or similar temporary residence; or currently or formerly living in transitional, temporary, or shelter housing; or lacking a residential rental housing history in whole or in part.

Section 2. Amend Article V, Chapter 659.03 as follows:

Protected classes under this section shall include actual or perceived: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, familial status, handicap, disability or use of support animals because of the handicap or disability of the user, status as a victim of domestic violence, citizenship or immigration status, preferred language, hairstyles and protective and cultural hair textures and hairstyles, and past or present housing status.

It shall be an unlawful housing practice, except as otherwise provided in this section:
(a) For any owner, real estate broker or any other person to refuse to sell, lease, sublease, rent, assign or otherwise transfer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale, lease, sublease, rental, assignment or other transfer of, the title, leasehold or other interest in any dwelling to any person, or to represent that any dwelling is not ava...

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