Posted: | January 12, 2024 12:50 PM |
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From: | Representative Dave Madsen |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Alternative Evidence for Housing Eligibility |
When completing an application for rental housing many times a potential tenant must agree to a credit history check. Landlords require potential tenants to submit to a credit history check to determine if the potential tenant has the means to pay rent. However, a tenant may have the means to pay rent every month but have a bad credit score. It is up to the landlord whether to consider alternative evidence to verify the potential tenant’s eligibility for housing and too often landlords quickly deny potential tenants based only on bad credit. My legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to require any landlord, who receives a government subsidy for housing, to accept alternative evidence (pay stubs, bank statements, etc.) from a potential tenant that demonstrates their ability to pay rent aside from the potential tenant’s credit history. This bill would work towards eliminating housing discrimination based on an individual's credit history. Pennsylvania is in the midst of a housing crisis. Potential tenants deserve every opportunity to have a fair shot at finding affordable housing. Please join me in providing fairness for tenants by co-sponsoring this legislation that would allow alternative evidence to be used for housing eligibility. |
Introduced as HB2148