Philly may have just revolutionized evictions

[Nevilledog]

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Tweet text:
Abraham Gutman🔥
@abgutman
🚨Something *big* is happening in Philadelphia.🚨

Last week, the city's court required landlords to seek rental assistance and enroll in the Eviction Diversion Program *before* filing a formal eviction.

That's a game changer. Read here why. 🔽

Philly may have just revolutionized evictions | Editorial
In the aftermath of 2008, Philadelphia emerged as a model of mortgage foreclosure prevention. Now it is leading the way on eviction prevention.
inquirer.com
9:13 AM · Apr 5, 2021

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-eviction-diversion-rent-20210405.html

Philadelphia is on the verge of upending evictions as we know them.

Last Wednesday, the Municipal Court of Philadelphia, which houses landlord tenant court, released a new order following the extension of the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium through June. For the next 45-days, landlords are required to apply to PHLRentAssist, the city’s rental assistance program, and enroll in the Eviction Diversion Program before filing an eviction for nonpayment.

The order is a game changer.

Before the pandemic, landlords filed 20,000 evictions a year in Philadelphia’s landlord tenant court. That’s despite the devastatingly long list of harms associated with eviction, harms that start with the court filing, a record of which is publicly accessible forever— regardless of the outcome.

In Philadelphia, Black renters face eviction, and its damage, at more than twice the rate of white renters.

Since 2017, championed by City Councilmember Helen Gym and tenant advocates like Community Legal Services, Philadelphia has taken steps to prevent evictions including a right-to-counsel bill to ensure that low income renters have representation in court.

A 2018 Mayor’s Taskforce on Eviction Prevention and Response report included 17 recommendations, including a novel one: a mediation program for landlords and tenants before filing in court. A program that would benefit landlords by providing access to resources, and benefit tenants by preventing a court filing is a win-win.

*snip*

[PCIntern]

1. Helen Gym could well be the next mayor here

[LAS14]

2. It's always a pick-me-up to hear about intelligence being used in government!!! nt

[Karadeniz]

3. Great idea! The landlords may get some assistance and word may get around to the renters that

Eviction isn't always the only alternative... maybe the helpful organizations will get more funding or donations.