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
- Direct renters to PA Legal Aid and the PA Bar Association to find legal services available in their community.
Landlord Tenant Mediation
- Landlord-tenant mediation programs are active in 12 counties in Pennsylvania. Check out our Promising Practices: Landlord-Tenant Mediation to learn more about mediation and how to contact these programs.
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
- Find the Toolkit here. Additional edits coming soon.
Renters Rights
- RHLS: Information for PA Renters on Eviction (COVID-19 Specific)–
- PA Eviction Guide from PA Legal Aid Network: Available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese
- NLIHC: FAQ on Renters’ Rights
- NHLP: Renter and Homeowner Rights
- Hello Landlord
- This tool will help you write a letter that notifies your landlord (1) that you are struggling financially and (2) that the law may not allow them to evict you.
- NLHIC Searchable Database
- Freddie Mac
- Tenants who live in a property with a mortgage loan purchased or securitized by Freddie Mac may be eligible for certain tenant protections. Tenants who live in a property with a mortgage loan purchased or securitized by Freddie Mac may be eligible for certain tenant protections.
- Fannie Mae
- If you’re a renter facing financial challenges as a result of COVID-19, a natural disaster, or other difficulties
- PHFA COVID-19 Resource Page