Our Issues
Contact your members of Congress and urge them to quickly enact this vital relief legislation!
It is estimated that $852,182,000 will be allocated to Pennsylvania to provide critical financial assistance to tenants and landlords. The COVID-19 Relief Package also includes:
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Provides $600 direct payment checks for every adult and child earning up to $75,000.
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Extends enhanced unemployment benefits for jobless workers, who will receive up to $300 per week through mid-March. Self-employed people and gig workers will also receive extended assistance.
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Extends the Coronavirus Relief Fund deadline from December 30, 2020 to December 31, 2021; this fund was used to create the CARES Rent Relief through PHFA
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Sets a permanent floor for the 4% credit in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. This change will make it easier to secure the financing needed for affordable housing projects and will assist in restarting stalled LIHTC projects throughout the country
The COVID-19 pandemic has excerbated our nation's housing crisis. While some proposals have only just been introduced, the Senate should act now on measures already passed by the House, including:
-The HEROES Act, HR 6800, which passed the House in May, and would provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance, and billions more for mortgage assistance, and people experiencing homelessness;
-The Moving Forward Act, HR 2, which passed in the House in July and would expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, and invest billions more in housing repair, preservation, and production.
Thousands of homeowners, renters, and people experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania need help -- and our Senators must take action.
- Extend the deadline for applications to October 31, 2020
- Increase the maximum amount of rental assistance per month on 130% of the HUD Fair Market Rent of a two-bedroom unit for the area in which the property is located
- Eliminate the requirement that households be 30 days in arrears to be eligible for assistance
- Replace requirement to waive rights to remaining rent or mortgage obligation upon acceptance of assistance with the option to forgive OR participate in another alternative remedy that could be mutually beneficial to both the tenant and landlord.
- Clarify that 5% of funds can be utilized for administrative costs for the local administering agencies
- Provide a 12-month extension of the 10% test deadline for carryover allocations as required by IRC Section 42(h)(1)(E)(ii) and IRS regulation 1.42-6.
- Provide a 12-month extension of the placed in service deadline as required in IRC Section 42(h)(1)(E)(i)
- Provide a 12-month extension of the 24-month minimum rehabilitation expenditure deadline as required by IRC Section 42(e)(3) and IRC Section 42(e)(4)
revitalizes communities. It creates, rehabs, and supports local housing, and expands supportive services,
homeownership counseling, home purchase, and blight remediation programs.
HB 71 - the Accelerated Eviction bill passed out of the House Urban Affairs Committee on May 14. Please contact your state representative today to ask them to oppose Accelerated Eviction when it comes to the floor.
The Accelerated Eviction Bill shortens the time period for eviction of a residential tenant from twenty one days to twelve. The Housing Alliance believes in a balance between the rights of landlords and tenants. However, without adequate time to find alternative housing, low-income Pennsylvanians and their families are more likely to face homelessness and as a result lose employment and income, or be displaced from schools and community. These costs would also likely extend to state and local governments, in the form of increased need for emergency social services, foster care services for children separated from parents due to lack of shelter, and beyond.
The Housing Alliance opposed similar legislation, HB 1875, in the previous legislative session.
The Housing Alliance appreciates your time and advocacy.
Reach Out to Your Legislators to Protect General Assistance!
General Assistance (GA) is under attack in the General Assembly. The bill that would end GA - HB 33 - could be up for a vote on the PA House floor soon!
Reach out to your House Representative and let them know you're concerned about the GA program!
Please let these legislators know:
- GA serves PA's most vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, their caregivers, people in treatment for a substance use disorder, people fleeing domestic violence, and children being cared for by friends or neighbors;
- GA is a small, targeted, and usually only temporary program;
- GA can keep people out of shelters;
- GA helps survivors of domestic violence; and
- GA can function as a loan for people applying for SSI -- the state is reimbursed for GA funds when people are approved for SSI.
More information about the General Assistance program to discuss with legislators can be found here.
Thank you for your advocacy!
The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania
We are reaching out today and asking that you to send a letter to your representatives and senators about the harmful impact of the current government shutdown.
The federal government has been shutdown for over 4 weeks. As the shutdown continues, more homeless, housing and community development organizations and their communities are facing immediate risk of losing funding and resources.
Although Congress has been working on ending this shutdown, many federal agencies only have until the end of February to provide various program resources like Section 8 Vouchers, SNAP, etc.
As of today, the shutdown could continue past February leaving many federal agencies with no funding or resources to provide to agencies and constituents.
We are asking you to contact your representatives and senators to end this shutdown.
We are pleased to see this forward momentum and we look forward to working with all of these legislators to increase affordable housing opportunities.
- Hi, my name is X and I live in Representative Rothfus’ district. I am calling today because I am concerned about two bills that would impose rent increases and work requirements on the poorest families.
- Rep. Ross’ draft bill proposes several different rent structures public housing authorities could implement. All of these would raise rents and create time limits, which would impose huge burdens on the poorest families – including seniors, people with disabilities and children. The increased burdens on these families could lead to increased evictions and homelessness. Please vote no on this bill when it is introduced.
- Representative Turner’s bill “Fostering Stable Opportunities Act” HR 2069, is concerning because it would impose new burdens – the first ever for individuals who rely on federal housing assistance – including work, education, training, and self-sufficiency requirements. While the bill provides a grace period for compliance, H.R. 2069 sets a troubling and unacceptable precedent. Federal housing programs help prevent homelessness and housing poverty. Requiring households to meet new eligibility requirements is counterproductive to this purpose. Please vote no on HR 2069.
- Thank you for your time.
HB 1875 – Accelerated Eviction - effectively shortens the time period for eviction of a residential tenant from twenty one days to twelve, would make it more difficult for low-income Pennsylvanians and their families in this challenging circumstance to secure alternative housing or face homelessness and all of the attendant problems – including loss of employment and income, and displacement from schools and community. These costs would also likely extend to state and local governments, in the form of increased need for emergency social services, foster care services for children separated from parents due to lack of shelter, and beyond.
Prior to 1996, it took a minimum of 31 days in PA to physically remove a renter post-judgment. The Pennsylvania Constitution, Article 5, Section 10(c), confers the power to establish court procedures on the Supreme Court. The General Assembly enacted legislation to amend the eviction and appeals process via Acts 33 and 36 of 1995, but the PA Supreme Court suspended those laws in 1996 and handed down its own rules - putting into place the current, faster eviction process. HB 1875 seeks to shorten this time period further. In the process, it intrudes on the Constitutional authority of the courts.
The current 21-day waiting period represents an appropriate balance of interests between landlords and tenants that should be maintained. The Housing Alliance opposed similar legislation, HB 1715, in the previous legislative session.
HB 1875 is currently being considered by the House Urban Affairs Committee. The Housing Alliance asks you to urge Committee members to vote NO on HB 1875.
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