City Council
City could bar landlords from rejecting applicants over housing gaps.
Landlords increasingly ask for a housing history, and some reject applicants with gaps or past shelter addresses, a city official said. The city's human relations commission wants to make housing status a protected status in city code. However, two council members worried about an undue burden on landlords and the city. The final vote is set for Sept. 30.
Written by Amy Whipple
The Commission on Human Relations is looking to add “past or present housing status” to the city’s code as a protected status.
Christopher Soult, the commission’s deputy director, said landlords are increasingly asking for a housing history, similar to a work resume. Some landlords are automatically denying applicants with gaps in their housing history or who list addresses linked to shelters or residential treatment facilities.
The legislation does not prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to people based on credit or eviction history, which is allowed by law.
Council Member Bob Charland of the South Side said housing discrimination clogs the shelter to housing pipeline. People who are denied housing remain in shelters they wouldn’t otherwise need.
Council Members Theresa Kail-Smith of Westwood and Anthony Coghill of Beechview both said they were worried the change would put an undue burden on landlords and the city.
Rachel Shepherd, the commission’s executive director, said there would be no additional cost to the city. The commission, which was founded in 1955, already has systems in use for investigating discrimination.
The final vote is scheduled for September 30.
Connections to this story
- Elected officials:
- Anthony Coghill
- Local issues:
- Updating Pittsburgh's civil rights protections
- Governments:
- City Council
- Public meetings:
- City Council · September 22, 2025
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