As the legal guardian and caregiver to my son who has autism, I deeply understand the struggle and discrimination faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities (I/DD) when securing suitable housing. The current situation in Pennsylvania, limits the freedom of individuals with I/DD and their families to access housing that best caters to their needs. This happens through threats of losing waiver funding. Current regulations in Pennsylvania regarding the use of essential support services limit the number of people with I/DD from living in the same apartment or planned community just because they have a disability. This is an ableist regulation that assumes people with I/DD do not want to live close to one another and that neurotypical neighbors are better. 

These regulations are outdated as neuro—inclusive housing is being developed in other states. Neuro-inclusive housing is designed to be cognitively accessible to people with I/DD yet allow them and their families to choose (and change if needed) their preferred long-term supports service provider. 

Unfortunately, this housing discrimination is not unique to my son and me, as many families with members who have intellectual disabilities are also affected. As a result, the potential for these individuals to thrive and lead fulfilling lives in environments adequately tailored to their specific needs is inhibited.

These practices violate the 1991 Federal Fair Housing Act Amendment, which prohibits discrimination based on disability status and the Americans with Disabilities Act. As of 2019, there were over 126,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities in Pennsylvania (according to the Arc of Pennsylvania). A vast majority of these individuals and their families face these discriminations daily.

Policymakers and public officials in Pennsylvania must recognize this as an urgent issue as parent caregivers are aging and affordable, accessible housing is desperately needed. We urge immediate measures be taken to rectify this situation by removing the density of persons with I/DD limits in housing settings imposed by 55 Pa Code Section 6100.444 and 6100.445. These ableist Pennsylvania-specific regulations should be revised so they are consistent with, and no more restrictive than, the federal regulations.

Please show your support. Sign the petition to put an end to housing discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities in PA. Together, we can drive change and uphold the rights of all citizens.