PA Human Relations Commission Teaming Up with Bike & Build to Stress Importance of Fair and Affordable Housing

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of April as National Fair Housing Month, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is teaming up with Bike & Build to educate Pennsylvanians on the importance of fair and affordable housing.

"Where you live matters," PHRC Executive Director JoAnn Edwards said. "It affects your economic and educational opportunities, as well as your health and your quality of life.

"We are joining Bike & Build as they bike across Pennsylvania to raise awareness of the need for affordable housing and to fund organizations that provide affordable housing."

Based in Philadelphia, Bike & Build is a national nonprofit organization that encourages young adults to address the country's affordable housing crisis through service-based, cross-country cycling trips. Trip participants support the affordable housing cause by fundraising and building efforts.

"Bike & Build greatly appreciates the work PHRC is doing to bring awareness to this important issue," Bike & Build's Director of Operations and Outreach Justin Villere said. "Far too many people in Pennsylvania lack access to affordable housing and this month is a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the pervasiveness of the affordable housing crisis."

Since its founding in 2003, over 2,000 young adults have contributed over $4.5 million and volunteered 160,000 build hours to housing nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together, to fund projects across the United States.

In 2014, three of Bike & Build's eight cross-country routes will venture through Pennsylvania, staying in Berwick, Coudersport, Franklin, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Pittsburgh, Schuylkill Haven, State College, Warren and Wellsboro.

Bike & Build's Providence-to-California route will be building with Monroe County Habitat for Humanity in Stroudsburg.

Since its founding, Bike & Build has granted $110,000 to 32 Pennsylvania nonprofits. Twenty-six riders from Pennsylvania will be participating in Bike & Build trips this year. For more information, visit www.bikeandbuild.org or call (267) 331-8488.

PHRC investigates housing discrimination complaints and educates housing providers, lenders, renters, homebuyers and others on their legal rights and responsibilities.

Learn more about fair housing, and watch a new documentary produced for Fair Housing Month by the Fair Housing Justice Center at www.phrc.state.pa.us.

Media contacts: 
Shannon Powers, PHRC, 717-783-8266 
Justin Villere, Bike & Build, 267-331-3488

SOURCE Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission