“Housing Status” Now a Protected Class in the City of Pittsburgh

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the City of Pittsburgh City Council amended Pittsburgh’s City Code to add “housing status” as a protected class from discrimination. Specifically, the ordinance amended the Pittsburgh Code, Title Six Conduct, Article V, Chapter 651.04 by adding the definition for the protected class of “housing status,” while also amending 659.03 to include “past or present housing status” as a class protected from housing discrimination, and simplifying 659.03 by not listing each protected class in each subsection.

In the city’s October 6, 2025 Housing Status Guidance for Landlords the city hopes to help landlords who may be confused about the change. Under this guidance, the city explains that the new protected class of “Housing Status” is defined as follows:

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.

The guidance also provides some examples of unlawful acts. The ordinance change is effective immediately, so all City of Pittsburgh landlords need to take special care in adhering to these new protections.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to Anthony Judice at (412) 227-0264 or ajudice@smgglaw.com. You may also reach out to any of Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky’s Pennsylvania Real Estate attorneys.

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