PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thousands of renters in Philadelphia have been able to stay in their homes thanks to a program that helps tenants and landlords avoid eviction. The Eviction Diversion Program, which was established in 2020, has been so successful that Philadelphia City Council members plan to introduce a bill on Thursday to make it permanent.
The Eviction Diversion Program is a national model but it’s scheduled to sunset in June without Thursday’s expected legislation. When it passed during the pandemic, it was seen as an emergency measure, but one of the sponsors, Councilmember Jaime Gauthier, said it has proved to be an enduring asset.
“Thanks to the Eviction Diversion Program, we have an average of 10,000 fewer evictions every year than we did pre-pandemic,” she said. “As rent and housing costs continue to soar, the Eviction Diversion Program remains just as important for the health and vitality of our neighborhoods as it did in 2020.”
But the condition of a property is also an issue that can drive renters out of stable housing, so Councilmembers Rue Landau and Nic O’Rourke plan to introduce a resolution to explore how the Department of Licenses and Inspections enforces rental codes. The legislation is connected to budget requests for more money for rental assistance and home repairs.
Another resolution is for hearings on automatic enrollment in the city’s tax relief programs.