Extend moratorium on evictions
The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted average Pennsylvanians’ lives in many ways. It’ll uproot some entirely once the state’s eviction moratorium ends in a few weeks.
A statewide eviction moratorium that started in mid-March and has been extended several times is now set to expire July 10. Unfortunately, many renters are still out of work or not capable of making monthly payments. Pennsylvania needs to extend the moratorium in order to assist renters and landlords alike.
Philadelphia, which maintains the highest percentage of renters in the state — as well as the highest eviction rate — is already a step ahead. Its city council recently passed a series of bills meant to help renters affected by the state’s closure orders, including an extension of the eviction moratorium until Aug. 31.
This was partially driven by the more than 5,000 eviction orders already scheduled for July in the city. While Philadelphia’s extension helps a significant number of renters, thousands more statewide could face eviction come July 10. About 31% of Pennsylvanians rent their homes, according to the 2019 U.S. Census.
Pennsylvania has established a program that will allocate $150 million in funding from the federal CARES Act for rent relief. Eligibility will be determined by unemployment and income levels, and those who qualify can receive up to $750 a month for up to a year.
However, the program won’t start accepting applications until July 6, four days before the eviction moratorium ends, and even then will not be distributing relief for several months. This comes amid unemployment of more than 13% statewide at the end of May. Renters in particular are disproportionately represented in industries hit hard by the pandemic, such as hospitality and service.
Eviction will only worsen the situation for many renters who are out of work. Eviction often results in downgraded living conditions for renters as well as a court record that follows them as they try to find a new place. Eviction isn’t ideal for landlords, either, who lose out on missed payments and suddenly are without a tenant.
Evictions also increase the likelihood of individuals becoming homeless, which is especially perilous right now as homeless individuals are uniquely vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. The coronavirus is straining many municipal services, and increasing the vulnerability of a segment of the state’s population will only put more pressure on public resources.
The state needs to follow Philadelphia’s example and lengthen the eviction moratorium until Sept. 30, the deadline to apply for rent relief. Doing so will allow landlords and tenants time to work out a way to avoid eviction, something undesirable for both parties.