COVID: Rental Assistance & Eviction Information

The CDC Eviction Moratorium Lifted by the Supreme Court

On August 26th, the Supreme Court ruled to end the temporary stay on a lower court ruling seeking to overturn the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In doing so, the Supreme Court’s ruling invalidates the federal eviction moratorium, eliminating vital eviction protections that have kept millions of households across the country – predominantly people of color – stably housed.

Our collective work to keep renters stably and safely housed is more important and urgent than ever. We will continue to work with our state and national partners on solutions to keep renters stably housed and make landlords financially whole.

Resources for Vulnerable Renters and Updates to Resources

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is available in every county in Pennsylvania.

  • On August 25th, the White House released additional information on how it is trying to prevent evictions through U.S. Treasury updates to ERAP and updates to programs administered by other government agencies including the USDA and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • The U.S. Treasury issued a revised FAQ on 8/25/21 and an associated Press Release. Revisions provide further clarification on the use of self-attestation, paying rental and utility arrearages at previous addresses, and how to speed up payments to eligible households, to name a few.

Legal Aid

Landlord Tenant Mediation

Partnerships with Courts

  • In this Housing Alliance brief, learn how ERAP administrators are working with their local courts to direct renters and landlords to rental assistance to prevent evictions.

Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance

To learn how to apply for emergency rental and utility assistance in your county, visit https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/RAP/Application.

Emergency Rental Assistance grantees are required to document their prioritization systems, inform all applicants about available preferences, publicize the preferences, and report them by July 15th. In our new issue brief, learn different strategies for setting up a prioritization system to help the most vulnerable households that can be applied to many programs and not just Emergency Rental Assistance.

Housing Alliance Landlord Toolkit 

Renters Rights