John,
We’ve got an update on the status of the Fair Future Act in Pennsylvania.
A few weeks ago, we let you know that the Fair Future Act had passed through committee and was headed to the Pennsylvania House floor for a vote. Since then, an unpopular amendment was added to the bill, but it still passed the first of two floor votes by a narrow margin.
Unfortunately, a final vote is still a few weeks away — but inaction doesn’t mean those impacted by this law aren’t dealing with the struggle to find housing on a daily basis. Every day this bill is delayed, real people remain shut out of safe, stable housing.
Between now and the final vote, we have time to let lawmakers know that this is unacceptable and the time for change is now. Sign the petition to send a message to your representative.
Since 1988, over 80,000 Pennsylvanians have been convicted of drug distribution offenses — many for small amounts. In fact, the most frequently charged amount is less than one gram, not even 1/4th the amount of a sugar packet. Yet, these miniscule charges can restrict folks from fair housing indefinitely — creating more barriers to reentry.
“Stable housing isn’t just a second chance; it’s the first step toward a better life,” said Yusuf Dahl, CEO of the Century Promise and founder of the Real Estate Lab in Allentown, and Anjelica D. Sanders, policy adviser and community reporter in a recent joint op-ed with The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Yusuf Dahl, CEO of The Century Promise and founder of the Real Estate Lab in Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania families deserve better than a system that keeps people locked out for life. The Fair Future Act would finally end this discriminatory policy by repealing the 1988 Thurmond Amendment and:
- Restore fair housing protections for people with drug convictions
- Create a clear, consistent process for landlords and applicants
- Strengthen public safety through stable reintegration
Pennsylvania has an opportunity to lead the nation in righting a long-standing wrong in our housing laws. This is a chance to affirm that people should be judged not by their past, but by who they are today.
Read the Op-Ed
In solidarity,
— Lauren Johnson, Justice Director at Dream.Org
