Harrisburg – May 29, 2020 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced that the Pennsylvania House and Senate passed his housing relief plan with $193 million on May 28. The Governor has agreed to sign this legislation.
“I am happy to announce this tremendous effort to prevent eviction, foreclosures and homelessness in Pennsylvania due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am thankful to the advocates and my colleagues in the Senate who made this initiative a reality,” said Haywood.
“ACTION-Housing is pleased to be part of an inclusive statewide collaborative initiative that will support Pennsylvanians with the most critical needs,” said Executive Director of ACTION-Housing Larry Swanson. “This initiative will provide the resources to allow our local communities to work with all who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.”
“On behalf of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, thanks to Senator Haywood for his leadership, thanks to Governor Wolf, and thanks to members of both parties within the General Assembly for recognizing that housing, specifically rental assistance, has to be part of Pennsylvania’s economic recovery plan from COVID-19,” said Executive Director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania Phyllis Chamberlain. “The funds appropriated will support communities in preventing evictions for tenants, stabilizing landlord small businesses, and ensuring that adequate support is provided to those that were one paycheck away from homelessness.”
“We’re grateful for this much needed funding because if we are going to recover economically from the pandemic, we have to address housing needs first,” said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. “This funding is vital because without housing stability Pennsylvanians won’t be able to maintain their jobs, their families and other important aspects of their life.”
“With over 50,000 low- and moderate-income renter households in Montgomery County, housing insecurity is a real threat that was only exacerbated by the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Montgomery County Housing Authority Executive Director Joel Johnson. “On behalf of the Montgomery County Housing Authority Board of Directors, thanks to Senator Haywood for his leadership, thanks to both sides of the aisle within the General Assembly and thanks to Governor Wolf for taking action and providing resources to help mitigate evictions for vulnerable tenants, while supporting landlords here in Montgomery County and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Additional advocates for this initiative also include the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and Regional Housing Legal Services.
The breakdown of the funds for housing relief includes $150 million for rental assistance, $25 million for mortgage assistance, $10 million for homelessness assistance, and $8 million in legal aid.
###