Proposed COVID Tenant Relief Bill- Philadelphia

[Kevin M.]

BP,

Wanted to bring to your attention a package of bills introduced to City Council on Thursday addressing Tenants' rights. Three sponsors (of 17 Council members). Some major points in the bill; 

1. Extend the eviction moratorium for 60 days after the state of emergency order is lifted for residential renters as well as small businesses, with an exception where there is risk of immediate harm.
2. Allow renters with financial hardships to pay rent over an extended period using a year-long repayment plan.
3. Create an eviction diversion program that runs through December 31 2020, requiring both landlords and renters to participate in a mediation process designed to help resolve issues before they lead to formal evictions.
4. Stabilize rents during the pandemic and for a year afterwards, during which landlords would be limited from increasing rents, retroactive to March 1, 2020 for those experiencing financial hardship related to the pandemic.
5. Waive late fees on rent during the pandemic and for two months afterwards, which is retroactive to March 1, 2020 for those experiencing financial hardship related to the pandemic.
6. Allow renters who are illegally locked out to recover damages caused by the illegal lockout.
7. Call on the PA General Assembly and the US Congress to provide municipalities a comprehensive relief package to stabilize the local rental housing market and assist property owners, including large-scale rent subsidies for landlords to make up for lost revenue.

There are concerns, expressed by HAPCO, that passing this bill would have a disastrous effect on property owners in Philadelphia by essentially passing on the costs of the COVID crisis onto owners. Despite relief to tenants in the form of stimulus payments and bolstered unemployment benefits, they would not be expected to make housing payments for months and face no negative repercussions. 

http://phlcouncil.com/councilmembers-gym-brooks-and-gauthier-introduce-emergency-housing-protection-package/

If you would be impacted by this bill please share your opinion with the Council. 

http://phlcouncil.com/social/


Stay Healthy.