This The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's ban on evictions expired on Monday August 31, with no proposals or plans in place to extend the program. One in five renters were behind on payments in July, the latest data available.
As millions of people across the country face continued unemployment from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, many in the state cannot pay their bills. For the past five months, renters have been protected from landlord action to evict them from housing for failure to pay rent, and in some cases have received rent assistance to help amid the crisis.
What can renters do now?
Pennsylvania residents prepare for the statewide eviction moratorium to end Monday (Pennsylvania Inquirer)
From the article: "Throughout Pennsylvania, thousands of evictions on hold because of the pandemic will proceed once the state’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures ends Monday. In Philadelphia, landlord-tenant court will start hearing rescheduled cases on Thursday, and landlords who have won eviction hearings and have court orders can begin removing tenants Sept. 8."
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf had extended the program through August 31 by an executive order, but in mid-August sent a letter to state legislators urging action, saying that his executive authority did not allow him to extend it further.
Governor to call on lawmakers to protect homeowners, renters, as House Democrats pitch Safe at Home bill package (ABC News)
This brief overview notes the rent assistance program that is available but not used by as many landlords as could take advantage; the state's Democrats who have proposed a bill package aimed at helping those at risk of eviction; and highlights that Governor Wolf will be addressing the state at 10 a.m. on September 1.
How the CARES Act failed to protect tenants from eviction (CNBC)
Nationwide, the CARES Act instituted an eviction moratorium on federally-backed properties and extended the program through the end of 2020. Yet without a penalty for landlords who continue to act to evict their tenants, some say the law is not strong enough to protect renters.
The CARES Act blog is intended to provide information and is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. The author is not a legal, medical or financial professional and the information presented should not be considered advice and is for reference only. Lehigh Valley Public Media and its employees claim no liability for any actions taken by readers based on the information provided here.