Report: "Mom and Pop Landlords Facing Financial Distress"; Watch State Hearing on Housing Affordability
The Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee held a "Housing Affordability" virtual hearing Tuesday that focused on the housing challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Included in the two hour discussion: the impact on rental property owners and a report that "mom and pop" landlords are facing financial distress and are continually being pressured to sell.
Watch the informative public hearing here on alternative housing models, affordability and stability in Pennsylvania, hosted by State Rep. Sara Innamorato.
Q&A: Emergency Rental Assistance & HCV (Section 8)
What are the rules for emergency rental assistance when a tenant receives Section 8 funding?
Housing Choice Voucher landlords can accept funds from the federal assistance program, but the rules can be confusing.
Here are two documents that will answer many landlords' questions about rental assistance. The first is a Question and Answer about the U.S. Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) and Other Rental Assistance Programs.
The second is a power point presentation on ERA eligibility costs, the role of landlords in initiating applications and accepting payments, and other useful information.
Federal Judge Stays Order to Overturn Eviction Moratorium
The same federal judge who ruled to overturn the eviction moratorium ordered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now put a temporary stay on the order.
Judge Dabney Friedrich of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted the motion by the Department of Justice for an immediate stay in the case of the Alabama Association of Realtor v. HHS. This action was to avoid evictions while the government's appeal is under consideration.
This gives the Court time to consider the merits of DOJ’s appeal and the plaintiffs time to file any opposition to the government's motion. Plaintiffs have until May 12, 2021 to file any opposition to the defendants' motion, and the defendants shall file any reply within four days of the date the plaintiffs' opposition is filed.
It is important to note that during this period and until the DC Circuit issues its ruling, the CDC eviction order remains in effect.
PA Legislators Consider Lead Testing Bill
A similar law is already taking effect in Philadelphia.
A bill was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that would amend the Landlord and Tenant Act, requiring lead testing on rental properties built before 1978. The legislation would require the landlord to provide testing results to prospective tenants or tenants entering into a lease.
The City of Philadelphia already has a Rental Property Lead Certification Law, currently being phased in by zip code, requiring the testing and certification of rental properties as lead-safe. The law took effect in October of 2020 and is being phased in over the course of two years.