City Council members Kendra Brooks, Jamie Gauthier and Helen Gym plan to introduce a package of bills aimed at keeping renters in their homes as the coronavirus pandemic takes an economic toll.
“As city council members, we don’t have the authority to cancel rent or to provide mortgage relief to landlords at the local level and so the best thing that we can do is to give renters resources that they might not otherwise have in negotiations with their landlord — time and breathing room to get back on their feet without the threat of eviction looming over them,” said Gauthier, who is introducing two bills.
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The total package — called the Emergency Housing Protection Act — is composed of six bills and one resolution. The council members plan to introduce it during the council meeting on Friday.
Gauthier’s first bill would enable renters to enter a payment plan with their landlord lasting up to 12 months if they lost their job or had their hours reduced due to the coronavirus crisis. The bill would apply to renters who have had the virus, are caring for someone with COVID-19 or were forced to quarantine and were unable to make rent as scheduled.
“During the 12-month repayment window, this bill stipulates that landlords must inform tenants of the right to enter a repayment plan at least 60 days before filing for eviction for nonpayment of back rent,” Gauthier said.
“What we are ultimately trying to do is to provide renters and landlords with an opportunity to settle repayment issues in a way that allows people to remain in their homes without the constant fear of what tomorrow might bring.”
Her second bill allows renters who are illegally locked out to take legal action against their landlord. Gauthier says this bill offers expanded enforcement against landlords who attempt to evict their tenants without following the appropriate legal process. Affected renters would be able to file with the Fair Housing Commission or Court of Common Pleas, terminate their remaining leases without penalties and recover damages.
Gym’s two bills establish an eviction diversion program and prevent evictions during the pandemic and for two months after the emergency order is lifted.
“What we know is that we see almost 18,000 evictions through tenant court any given year,” she said.
“We simply cannot go back to the way that things were, especially as we stage a reopening of our economy. A diversion program will ensure that landlords avoid the time and expense of litigation, ensure that families stay housed and ensure that eviction is truly a means of last resort.”
Source: Council members to introduce emergency housing package
