►
Description
The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 10:30 AM to hear testimony on the following item:
220655
An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Landlord and Tenant,” to modify requirements and authorizations related to the City’s residential eviction diversion program, including associated changes to the landlord and tenant relationship, and to make certain technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
C
C
We
are
using
Microsoft
teams
to
make
these
remote
hearings
possible
instructions
for
how
the
public
May
View
and
offer
public
testimony
at
public
hearings
of
council
committees
are
included
in
the
public
hearing,
notices
that
are
published
in
The,
Daily,
News,
Inquirer
and
legal
Intelligencer
prior
to
the
hearings
and
can
also
be
found
on
phlcouncil.com
I
now
note
that
the
hour
has
come
Sydney
Charles.
Will
you
please
call
the
roll
to
take
attendance
members
that
are
in
attendance?
C
D
Bill
number
220655
amending
chapter
9,
800
of
the
Philadelphia
code,
entitled
landlord
and
tenant
to
modify
requirements
and
authorizations
related
to
the
city's
residential
eviction.
Diversion
program,
including
Associated
changes
to
the
landlord's
intenant
relationship
and
to
make
certain
technical
changes
all
under
certain
terms
and
conditions.
Before.
C
We
begin
to
hear
testimony
from
the
witnesses
we
have
for
today.
Everyone
who
has
been
invited
to
the
meeting
to
testify
should
be
aware
that
this
public
hearing
is
being
recorded,
because
the
hearing
is
public
participants
and
viewers
have
no
reasonable
expectation
of
privacy.
By
continuing
to
be
in
the
meeting,
you
are
consenting
to
being
recorded
additionally
prior
to
recognizing
members
for
the
questions
or
comments
they
have
for
Witnesses.
C
I
will
note
for
the
record
at
this
time
that
we
will
use
the
chat
feature
available
in
Microsoft
teams
to
allow
members
to
signify
that
they
wish
to
be
recognized
in
order
to
comply
with
the
sunshine
act.
The
chat
feature
must
only
be
used
for
this
purpose
before
we
begin
I'd
like
to
make
a
few
remarks
about
the
legislation
before
this
committee
today
good
morning,
colleagues
good
morning,
Witnesses
and
everybody
listening
in.
C
C
During
a
time
when
philadelphians
were
thrown
into
financial
distress
because
of
the
covid-19
pandemic,
we
came
together
as
a
city
and
created
programs
that
would
keep
residents
in
their
homes
whenever
possible,
making
filing
for
an
eviction
a
last
resort.
Instead
of
the
first
and
only
staff
in
landlord
tenant
disputes.
C
The
eviction
and
diversion
program
has
been
a
Monumental
success
and
our
model
has
been
rightfully
recreated
in
other
cities
in
hopes
to
decrease
eviction,
filings
and
destabilization
in
a
city
that,
at
the
beginning
of
the
pandemic,
had
the
fourth
highest
eviction
rate
in
the
country
with
1
in
14
renters
facing
eviction
every
year.
It
is
of
the
utmost
importance
that
we
recognize
the
positive
effects
that
the
eviction
diversion
program
and
targeted
rental
assistance
have
had
on
our
residents
providing
millions
of
dollars
in
targeted
local
rental
assistance,
helped
almost
40.
C
000
families
remain
in
their
homes
when
the
pandemic
had
thrown
every
other
aspect
of
their
lives
into
a
tailspin.
The
city's
landlords,
the
majority
of
whom
have
smaller
operations,
were
able
to
be
paid,
and
residents
were
not
under
the
constant
threat
of
homelessness.
The
eviction
diversion
program
has
created
an
alternative
means
of
landlord-tenant
dispute
resolution
that
often
keeps
the
parties
out
of
Courts
all
to
altogether.
By
decreasing
the
number
of
evictions
filed.
C
The
courts
have
been
able
to
provide
more
efficient
legal
proceedings,
no
longer
burdened
by
the
thousands
of
eviction
filings
that
once
plagued
our
courts.
When
an
eviction
is
filed,
the
wait
time
for
landlords
have
decreased,
has
decreased
by
half
from
90
days
to
30.,
seeing
the
positive
effect
that
the
eviction
diversion
program
has
had
on
residents
across
our
city.
It
only
makes
sense
to
consider
extending
the
protections
past
the
December
22
expiration
date.
C
Extending
the
eviction
diversion
program
will
allow
the
city's
Stellar
housing
Advocates
to
continue
the
work
that
they've
been
doing
to
keep
folks
in
their
homes,
while
mediating
disputes
between
landlords
and
tenants,
providing
a
pathway
to
resolving
conflicts
that
does
not
destabilize
our
residents.
A
stable
home
is
the
foundation
of
a
stable
life,
and
it
is
critical
that
the
housing
policies
we
put
forth
are
centered
around
maintaining
stable
housing
for
our
residents.
C
It's
sending
the
eviction
diversion
program
is
a
necessary
step
in
doing
so,
and
so
I
want
to
again
thank
councilmember
gim
and
acknowledge
also
the
hard
work
of
the
kidney,
Administration
and
housing
Advocates
across
the
city
and
implementing
this
program,
and
with
that
I
want
to
provide
an
opportunity
to
council
member
gem.
Who
is
the
Bill's
sponsor
to
make
remarks,
as
well
as
other
members
of
the
committee
council
member.
H
H
Madam
chair
members
of
the
committee
for
the
past
two
years,
our
city
has
administered
a
successful
and
acclaimed
eviction
diversion
program
and
built
a
collaborative
Network
among
City
agencies,
housing,
Advocates
and
a
municipal
court
system
that
has
been
a
model
of
Hope
and
action
in
dire
times
in
the
past
two
years.
Our
city
has
dramatically
reduced
evictions
in
what
was
once
the
fourth
highest
evicting
City
in
the
nation
and
has
received
praise
from
the
White
House,
the
U.S
Department
of
Justice
and
the
U.S
Department
of
Treasury.
H
Diversion
programs
like
ours
are
now
adopted
in
at
least
180
jurisdictions
across
36
States.
The
legislation
before
us
today,
which
has
earned
the
support
of
the
mayor's
administration
of
legal
organizations
like
our
partners
at
Community,
Legal
Services
and
the
Pennsylvania
Apartment
Association,
ensures
that
this
essential
work
continues.
As
our
city
scales
up
complementary
eviction.
Prevention
programs,
including
expanding
the
Philly
tenant
hotline,
and
bringing
right
to
council
to
what
is
now
for
ZIP
codes
in
the
coming
months.
We
must
ensure
that
the
eviction
prevention
work
continues
to
grow
and
continues
to
be
responsive.
H
These
programs
work
in
concert
with
eviction
diversion
to
bring
increased
housing
stability
to
communities
and
to
protect
the
public
health.
Today's
Bill
updates
and
extends
the
existing
law
to
improve
Clarity
and
match
the
current
diversion
program
structure.
It
was
important
for
us
not
to
be
so
prescriptive
within
the
bill,
but
to
allow
our
city
and
City
agencies
the
flexibility
to
adapt,
respond
and
evolve
the
program.
The
bill
also
allows
for
future
transition
to
a
post-filing
program
with
protections
for
eviction
records.
H
Every
eviction
prevented
is
a
day
that
is
more
stable
is
a
every
eviction
prevented
is
a
day
that's
more
stable
in
the
family's
life,
a
child
who
isn't
suddenly
disrupted
from
their
schooling,
a
family
that
can
stay
whole
and
a
chance
for
our
city
agencies
to
deliver
on
a
mission
that
is
the
foundation
of
Public
Safety.
That
is
the
foundation
of
Economic
Security
and
of
a
city's
vitality
and
that
begins
with
a
stable
housed
family.
The
eviction
diversion
program
not
only
prevented
an
overwhelming
number
of
cases
from
reaching
Court.
H
It
helped
reduce
Court
times
from
90
days
to
just
about
30
to
35
days
by
building
on
this
program's
success.
Cases
which
require
Court
resolutions
are
now
heard
significantly
faster.
The
program
ensures
that
small
landlords
also
gets
paid.
Philadelphia's
city
council
has
allocated
45
million
dollars
in
targeted
specific
funding
for
the
diversion
rental
assistance
program
to
help
settle
cases
in
the
diversion
program
and
with
thanks
from
my
colleagues
on
Council
and
this
Administration
for
this
clear
investment
in
the
future
of
our
housing
stability
programs.
H
This
afternoon
this
afternoon
this
morning
and
afternoon's
hearing
we'll
also
introduce
an
amendment
to
this
legislation
to
extend
the
duration
of
the
program
for
another
18
months
until
June
of
2024..
The
this
is
the
longest
extension
yet
of
this
program
and
a
commitment
that
our
city
takes
eviction
prevention
seriously.
H
Our
work
together
preceded
this
pandemic,
but
it
proved
that
our
city,
which
so
often
faces
some
of
the
nation's
most
serious
problems,
can
also
be
the
starting
point
for
dedicated
and
successful
Solutions
and
in
cases
like
this,
can
sometimes
be
a
model
for
the
nation.
Thank
you
very
much,
chair
Gautier.
H
C
I
J
Good
morning,
I'm
Melissa
long
good
morning,
council,
member
Gautier,
council
member
gem.
Thank
you
very
much.
Other
members
of
the
housing,
neighborhood
development
and
homeless
committee
and
members
of
city
council,
I'm,
Melissa
long
of
the
division
of
Housing
and
Community
Development,
I'm
very
pleased
to
present
testimony
on
Bill
number
220655
and
today,
I'm
joined
by
my
colleagues
in
the
managing
director's
office.
Eva
gladstein,
Kathleen,
Grady
and
Josh
Roper,
as
I
have
previously
testified.
J
2022
of
the
over
2
000
participating
landlords
and
tenants
with
the
final
outcome.
More
than
1750
that's
80
percent
reached
an
agreement.
This
level
of
success
would
not
have
been
possible
with
all
of
the
partners
and
without
All
Phases
of
the
emergency
rental
assistance
program
which
to
date,
has
distributed
nearly
300
million
to
over
46
thousand
applicants.
J
Nevertheless,
under
the
current
legislation
and
to
date,
a
high
percentage,
60
percent
of
landlord-tenant
participants
and
the
eviction
diversion
program
have
continued
to
reach
agreements,
specifically
since
January
10th
of
the
over
1500
pairs
of
landlords
and
tenants,
nearly
930
households
have
reached
agreements
that
have
enabled
them
to
remain
in
their
homes.
In
light
of
this
ongoing
record
of
success,
the
committee,
the
Kinney
Administration,
continues
to
strongly
support
the
eviction
diversion
program
and
I'm
extremely
pleased
to
testify
in
favor
of
Bill
number
220-655,
which
will
facilitate
the
program's
continuation.
C
H
You
know
this
has
been
a
long
journey,
but
it's
been
one
that
we've
worked
through
a
tremendous
amount
of
challenges
and
come
out
on
the
other
side
with,
as
you
mentioned,
something
that's
been
incredibly
successful
and,
most
importantly,
has
been
a
real
model
of
collaboration
amongst
a
lot
of
different
entities
and
I.
Think
that's
been
one
of
the
most
important
things
that
we
can
do
together
as
a
city
is
to
have
a
united
front,
a
common
Mission
and
a
real
commitment
to
one
another.
H
So
I
want
to
thank
you
for
your
leadership
on
all
of
that.
First
and
foremost,
so
I
wanted
to
note
that
we
have,
you
know,
committed
the
committed
funding
of
the
45
million
for
the
targeted
diversion
rental
assistance
program.
Thanks
to
the
council
colleagues,
and
thank
you
to
you
as
well
Melissa
for
committing
an
additional
15
million
in
addition
to
that
30
million
to
bring
us
to
that
45
million
amount.
H
J
H
J
H
Understood
I,
it's
my
understanding
that
you
know
again.
We
did
not
want
to
be
hyper
prescriptive
within
the
law.
We
wanted
to
allow
the
program
to
evolve,
but
I
recognized
that
the
program
and
its
current
iteration
has
only
been
in
existence
for
several
months.
So
you
know
this
is
partly
why
they're
just
kind
of
Shifting
narratives
about
what's
working
at
different
times,
but
I
think
what
we're
trying
to
do
is
be
responsive,
exactly
yeah
yeah.
H
J
J
Questions
with
eviction,
diversion
Etc
and
I
can
also
say
we're
looking
for
outreach
to
small
landlords
to
make
sure
that
they're
engaged-
and
you
know,
working
with
Paul
Cohen
at
hapco
and
and
Andre
Duval
at
PA
partnership,
PA,
Apartment,
Association,
I
think
this
is
very
exciting.
I
now
also
can
say
core
a
Good,
Shepherd
I
think
Sue
wasser
Krug
is
on
this
call.
J
H
Program
I
appreciate
that
I
also
understand
that
the
department
is
looking
at
more
clearly
outlining
regulations
for
participation
to
the
program
so
that
these
are
not
something
that
are
done
by
word
of
mouth
but
are
actually
written
down,
so
that
people-
don't
you
know,
don't
have
to
wonder
what
it
is
that
they
should
expect.
They'll
have
a
clear
understanding
of
what
to
expect
in
a
little
bit
of
the
timeline.
Is
that
accurate.
J
That's
totally
accurate,
accurate
and
a
huge
thanks
to
Kathleen
Grady
and
Josh
Roper,
who
can't
thank
enough
people
right.
It
really
does
take
a
huge
amount
of
folks
to
come
together
to
make
this
happen
so
really
want
to
thank
them.
We've
already
started
that
process,
so
we
will
continue
that.
Thank.
H
H
H
E
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
members
of
the
committee
I
just
want
to
go
on
the
record,
echoing
and
lordy
the
accomplishments
of
a
program
that
had
difficult
Origins,
to
say
the
least.
It
was
often
contentious,
but
people
from
all
stakeholder
groups
stayed
at
the
table
to
come
up
with
the
best
possible
scenario
that
helped
the
most
amount
of
people.
E
When
I
say
people
I
mean
those
people
who
are
rentals,
those
people
who
are
the
investors,
those
people
who
are
small
business
managers
who
have
put
their
life
savings,
often
into
a
rental
property.
It
was
not
perfect,
but
it
it
was.
We
did
not
let
the
imperfect
be
the
enemy
of
the
good,
and
sometimes
programs
are
measured.
E
Whether
we
talk
about
the
diversion
program
that
was
set
into
motion
for
evictions
and
and
foreclosures
or
this
eviction
program,
it
is
not
just
measured
by
the
people
that
it
helped,
but
the
catastrophe
it
avoided
and
I
I
want
to
say
close
to
the
sponsors
of
this
bill
in
previous
bills,
but
also
for
their
work
with
these
stakeholders
to
make
sure
it
was
as
amicable
as
possible.
So,
thank
you
for
that
work.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
B
Yeah,
my
name
is
Vikram
Patel
and
I'm,
a
supervising
attorney
in
the
housing
unit
at
Community,
Legal
Services
good
morning.
Thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
address
City
Council
in
support
of
the
eviction
diversion
program
so
to
talk
about
this
bill
and
give
a
little
background.
Also
right.
This
bill
is
going
to
extend
the
requirement
that
landlords
participate
in
Philadelphia's
eviction,
diversion
program,
which
has
been,
as
we've
heard,
already
a
great
success.
B
Through
the
emergency
housing
protections
act,
you
know
we
first
got
the
the
first
version
of
the
eviction
diversion
program
now
this
bill
and
this
this
current
format.
It
requires
a
couple
of
things:
one
for
landlords
to
send
the
tenant
to
notice
and
then
participate
in
the
program
for
at
least
30
days,
and
you
know,
negotiate
in
good
faith.
However,
there
is
a
an
exception
for
for
cases
of
amendment
harm,
so
if
there
is
an
emergency
situation,
it
can
go
directly
to
court.
B
Now
this
is
a
it's
a
free
program
for
for
landlords
and
tenants,
it's
it's
far
less
intimidating
than
court,
and
it
actually
provides
landlords
and
tenants
to
space
to
discuss
the
issues
at
hand.
Now
this
is
the
I
think
the
one
of
the
most
compelling
parts
of
the
program
is
that
it.
It
actually
works
on
repairing
that
landlord-tenant
relationship
now
at
speed,
Legal
Services
generally,
when
I'm
dealing
at
court.
B
Now
in
cases
where
the
landlord
tenant
relationship
can't
be
repaired,
it
allows
them
to.
You
know,
part
on
on.
You
know
more
amicable
terms
because
it's
you
know
it
saves
the
landlord
from
having
to
go
to
court,
but
it
also
saves
the
tenant
from
having
an
eviction
filing
which
follows
them
around
for
the
rest
of
their
life.
Now,
I
want
to
reiterate
that
eviction
filings
follow
tenants
around
for
the
rest
of
their
life,
which
makes
finding
safe
and
affordable
housing
significantly
harder.
B
Finally,
with
you
know
these
agreements,
when
a
landlord
and
a
tenant
can
reach
an
agreement
outside
of
Court.
It
saves
court
for
those
complex
cases,
the
things
that
actually
need
a
judge
that
actually
need
a
court
and
allows
them
to
be
heard
in
a
timely
manner.
As
we
heard
earlier,
you
know
there,
there
was
a
you
know,
a
90-day
waiting
period,
which
has
now
come
to
about
30
days,
so
cases
that
that
need
to
be
heard
in
court
can
be
heard
in
a
timely
fashion.
B
Community
Legal
Services,
you
know,
we've
been
a
proud
part
of
the
Coalition
that
has
helped
with
building
and
supporting
the
eviction
diversion
program
and
will
continue
to
work
on
improving
and
growing
it.
We
deeply
support.
We
deeply
appreciate
all
the
support
you've
given
this
program
the
past
and
ask
that
you
continue
to
support
this
program
and
this
bill
today.
B
C
C
K
C
K
Good
morning
my
name
is
Abraham
reyespardo
I'm,
the
director
of
housing
at
the
Urban
League
of
Philadelphia,
which
is
a
civil
rights
organization
and
a
hot
approve
housing.
Counseling
agency
I
am
here
to
provide
testimony
in
support
of
Bill
220655
to
extend
Philadelphia's
acclaimed
eviction
diversion
program.
K
But
there
are
other
situations
like
the
one
Amplified
by
a
recent
report
published
by
the
Pew
charitable
trust,
which
indicated
that
in
the
last
three
months
of
the
year,
2021
private
Equity
firms
purchased
nearly
20
percent
of
all
U.S
homes.
Nearly
a
third
of
American
house
sales
went
to
people
who
had
no
intention
of
living
in
them.
K
Private
Equity
is
now
the
most
prominent
backer
amongst
the
35
largest
owners
of
multi-family
buildings.
At
times
they
don't
only
hold
the
stock,
but
also
write
the
rules
of
a
significantly
under-regulated
field.
All
of
these
two
say
that
the
circumstances
surrounding
the
housing
market
continue
to
elevate
the
relevance
of
the
eviction
diversion
program
which,
thanks
to
your
support,
became
a
national
referent.
Now,
more
than
ever,
our
most
vulnerable
communities
are
in
need
of
safe
spaces
to
mediate
and
de-escalate
matters
before
they
make
it
to
Municipal
Court.
K
The
budgets
of
some
of
these
affected
families
are
already
stretched
thin
in
trying
to
keep
up
with
their
basic
living
expenses,
hence
that
some
of
them
make
the
decision
to
risk
their
housing
stability
by
foregoing
what
at
times
might
be
perceived
as
their
most
significant
expense,
their
housing
expense.
This
also
means
that
many
of
these
families
lack
the
resources
to
hire
an
attorney
which
could
prevent
them
from
understanding
and
communicating
in
the
same
language
used
by
their
counterparts.
K
These
can
significantly
alter
the
power
dynamics
and
decrease
a
tenant's
ability
to
understand
and
navigate
the
different
processes
designed
to
complete
an
eviction.
A
Times
They
will
receive
letters
and
Communications
written
in
legalese
using
terminologies
and
time
frames,
they're
very
unfamiliar
with,
however,
through
the
eviction
diversion
program,
tenants,
access
support
from
a
dedicated
group
of
Advocates,
which
includes
housing,
counselors
certified
by
the
Department
of
Housing.
We
act
as
translators
for
all
participants,
regardless
of
their
financial
profile.
K
The
program
has
already
proven
to
be
the
to
have
the
capability
to
successfully
connect
struggle
in
families
with
the
services
and
the
resources
they
need,
but
it
is
now
more
than
ever
that
we
need
your
support
to
continue
creating
opportunities
for
those
families
who
are
want
rent
payment
away
from
becoming
homeless.
Thank
you
so
much.
C
C
L
L
L
My
original
situation,
I
was
put
out
from
Illinois
at
my
last
apartment,
Illinois
shut,
my
building
down
and
all
the
tenants
had
to
leave
so
I
used
all
my
savings
to
get
into
this
place.
I
came
into
this
apartment
short
thank
God
for
the
landlord
working
with
me,
so
I
was
playing
catch-up
since
I
moved
into
this
apartment.
L
L
An
eviction
is
not
just
like
for
the
moment
like
that's
like
forever
and
I'm
only
24.,
so
that
would
be.
It
would
be
hard
for
me
to
get
a
house
hard
for
me
to
boost
my
credit.
All
types
of
things
so
I
just
appreciate
the
program,
and
that
was
a
serious
time
and
need
so
I.
Thank
you
to
everyone.
That's
involved
in
this
program.
C
Thank
you
so
much
for
being
willing
to
come
here
and
share
your
story
with
us.
I'm,
really
I'm.
Sorry
to
hear
of
all
the
struggles
that
you've
had
to
go
through,
especially
dealing
with
some
City
systems,
but
I'm
glad
that
you
were
able
to
access
the
program
to
stay
in
your
home
and
I,
wish
you
and
your
son
the
absolute
best.
Thank
you
you're
welcome,
council.
Member
again,
do
you
have
questions
for
the
panel.
H
H
So
thank
you.
Miss
Harvey
I
wanted
just
a
quick
question
for
Mr,
Pardo
and
I
want
to
thank
the
Urban
League
for
just
being
an
incredible
partner
on
everything.
You've
been
an
extraordinary
Advocates
you're,
raising
the
alarm
Bell
on
the
private
Equity
buy
up,
you
know,
and
we
have
been
a
real
united
front
and
in
particular,
one
of
the
things
that
we're
deeply
invested
in
across
our
entire
Council
body
is
the
housing
counselors
which
Urban
League
has
been
very
supportive
of
you
do
far
more
than
just
you
know.
H
Obviously,
this
program
you're
supportive
of
the
mortgage
foreclosure
diversion
program
you're
in
direct
connection
with
individuals,
with
landlords
you're,
creating
a
better
ecosystem
for
housing,
no
matter
where
you
may
be
on
it
and
showing
that
more
information
and
more
partnership
is
is
critical.
I
was
interested
in
asking
how
you
see
the
diversion
program
supporting
the
work
that
the
housing
counselors
do.
How
does
the
diversion
program
relate
or
enables
housing
counselors
to
reach
more
people
and
I?
K
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
that
question.
So
we,
as
you
very
well
pointed
out,
we
are
the
housing
counseling
agency,
sanctioned
by
the
Department
of
Housing,
provide
our
our
task
to
provide
comprehensive
housing,
counseling
services.
We
knew
that
there
was
a
space
for
the
type
of
work
that
we
were
performing,
that
we
are
performing
as
part
of
the
eviction
diversion
program,
but,
prior
to
the
pandemic,
it
was
there
was
a
times.
K
It
will
be
a
little
bit
complicated
to
navigate
exactly
how
to
find
that
opportunity
to
connect
with
the
renters.
We
knew
that
there
were
several
renters
that
needed
our
support
and
we
knew
that
we
had
the
capacity
to
support
their
needs,
but
what
the
eviction
diversion
program
has
done
is
that
it
has
created
that
safe
space
where
we
can
all
meet,
and
also
in
bringing
landlords
in
into
the
equation
as
well.
K
Quite
frankly,
I
think
a
lot
of
these
cases
were
going
straight
to
court,
because
there
wasn't
a
space
like
this
before
right
and
and
proof
of
that,
I
think
it's
been
re-emphasized
throughout
the
test.
The
testimonies
that
have
already
been
provided
that
that
one
step
before
has
now
created
opportunity
to
de-escalate
some
of
those
cases
and
communicate
in
different
terms
with
landlords
and
tenants.
So
the
housing
counselors
have
the
training.
The
housing
counselors
have
the
knowledge.
The
housing
counselors
are
doing
the
work.
H
C
H
M
This
cross-collaboration
led
to
several
several
programmatic
changes,
a
landlord
liaison
being
hired,
as
mentioned
earlier,
30
million
dollars
of
local
rental
assistance
funds
being
made
available,
as
well
as
the
number
of
amendments
which
you
see
before
you
today.
While
we
believe
the
reinvestment
funds,
independent
analysis
would
have
been
more
would
have
been
more
helpful
in
crafting
other
amendments.
To
this
legislation,
this
cross-collaboration
has
a
commitment
from
all
parties
to
continue
to
fix
the
ongoing
challenges
to
the
current
eviction
diversion
program
through
graduation.
M
This
commitment
will
ensure
that
the
Pennsylvania
Apartment,
Association,
tenant,
Advocates
and
other
appropriate
stakeholders
can
continue
to
work
together
in
a
productive
manner,
on
a
program
that
that
finds
equilibrium
for
both
landlords
and
tenants.
At
the
onset
of
this
pandemic
and
before
mediation
was
created.
Many
of
our
members
proactively
met
with
residents
who
are
facing
Financial
hardships
and
began
creating
payment
plan
agreements
and
once
the
American
Rescue
funds
were
made
available,
urge
tenants
to
apply
for
these
evap
funds
made
available
by
President
Biden's
Administration.
M
These
rental
assistance
funds
continued
to
assist
landlords
who
had
not
received
payments
in
over
two
years,
while
also
assisting
tenants
by
ensuring
the
tenants
readers
were
paid
off.
Given
tenants
had
the
ability
to
apply
for
up
to
12
months
back
and
at
one
point
in
this
program,
six
months
forward
for
any
rent
or
utilities.
M
We
hope
to
reduce
the
timeline
of
mediation
in
the
future,
which
has
been
one
of
the
biggest
challenges
for
landlords
across
the
city,
while
I'm
sending
them
incentivizing
the
program
for
both
parties.
We
look
forward
to
working
with
this
legislative
body,
the
current
and
next
Administration
and
all
the
appropriate
stakeholders
in
the
upcoming
months
on
the
future
of
this
program.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
today
and
I'm
happy
to
answer
any
any
questions
you
may
have.
C
Thank
you
and
kudos
to
you
and
your
organization
and
councilmember
again
and
her
team
for
being
able
to
work
on
these
compromises.
This
is
a
completely
different
tone
in
tenor
than
when
we
were
first
working
on
some
of
this
stuff.
In
the
early
days
of
the
the
pandemic,
this
wasser
crew.
Can
you
state
your
name
for
the
record
and
proceed
with
your
testimony?
C
N
Good
morning,
my
name
is
Sue
wasser,
Krug
and
I'm,
the
director
of
mediation
at
quora
services,
and
thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
address
the
committee
in
support
of
bill
220655.
This
bill
will
extend
and
update
the
current
ordinance
that
provides
an
opportunity
for
all
landlords
and
tenants
to
participate
in
Philadelphia's
eviction
diversion
program.
The
program
has
proven
to
be
an
effective
way
to
support
landlords
and
tenants
in
their
efforts
to
resolve
disputes
without
resorting
to
litigation.
N
N
Council
members,
you
wisely
created
the
eviction
diversion
program
in
September
of
2020
to
mitigate
the
potentially
devastating
impact
of
the
coveted
pandemic
on
our
city
and
our
municipal
court
and
based
on
the
program's
success
during
the
pandemic.
You
then
extended
the
program
adding
diversion
as
a
pre-filing
step
in
all
eviction
proceedings,
not
just
cases
where
covet
caused
an
economic
hardship.
N
N
Recently,
a
property
manager
who
participated
in
about
a
dozen
or
so
mediations
commented,
the
mediations
have
turned
out
to
be
a
wonderful
experience
and
issues
are
resolved
where
tenants
would
otherwise
have
been
evicted.
A
landlord
attorney
once
recently
said
to
me.
Thank
you
so
much,
it's
always
great.
When
we
can
resolve
cases
without
the
courts.
N
With
the
creation
of
new
diversion
Pathways,
the
bolster
party's
ability
to
negotiate,
we've
been
flooded
with
correspondence
from
landlords
and
tenants
who
want
to
share
their
negotiated
agreements
with
us
and
be
counted
as
diversion
success
stories
when
landlords
and
tenants
are
empowered
to
tackle
their
issues
together.
The
result
is
not
just
a
win-win,
but
it's
a
win-win-win.
It's
a
win
for
the
tenant
who
maintains
housing
stability,
it's
a
win
for
the
landlord
who
stays
in
business
and
recoups.
N
N
C
O
Sure,
good
morning,
everyone,
my
name,
is
Samia
Bristow
and
I
am
the
associate
vice
president
of
programs
at
maternity
Care
Coalition.
Each
year,
maternity
Care
Coalition
works
with
thousands
of
families
across
Philadelphia,
providing
home
visiting
virtual
supports
center-based
care
and
Community
Education
Services
year
after
year
and
across
all
of
the
communities
we
serve.
Our
Advocates
doulas
teachers
report
that
housing
security
is
a
top
concern
of
their
families.
O
Pregnancy
in
the
first
few
years
of
a
baby's
life,
are
some
of
the
most
crucial
for
lifelong
development.
Hardship
during
early
childhood
can
significantly
affect
brain
development.
Research
shows
that
homelessness
can
lead
to
physical
health
problems
for
infants,
including
low
birth
weight.
Unfortunately
far
too
many
infants
and
toddlers
in
Philadelphia
experience,
homelessness
and
housing
and
security.
Extending
Philadelphia's
eviction.
Diversion
program
is
an
important
step
to
ensuring
families.
Basic
needs
are
met.
The
last
time
maternity
Care
Coalition
appeared
before
this
committee.
We
spoke
primarily
about
the
impact
of
housing,
instability
on
children's
health
and
development.
O
O
The
importance
of
housing,
stability,
health
and
stability
for
philadelphians,
one
key
benefit
of
this
bill
begins
during
pregnancy.
A
study
conducted
by
the
University
of
California
San,
Francisco
preterm
birth
initiative
found
unstable
housing
during
pregnancy,
increases
the
odds
of
pre-term
Labor
by
20
percent,
so
housing
instability
during
pregnancy
puts
a
birthing
person
at
about
the
same
risk
for
preterm
labor
as
smoking
does
another
key.
O
Extending
Philadelphia
eviction
diversion
program
aligns
with
the
recommendations
made
in
the
city's
most
recent
maternal
and
mortality
review
report,
which
emphasizes
the
need
for
stable
and
secure
housing
during
pregnancy
and
the
postpartum
period
in
a
city
where
our
pregnancy-related
death
rate
is
higher
than
a
national
average,
and
where
black
women
account
for
less
than
half
the
births,
but
account
for
nearly
three-fourths
of
the
pregnancy
related
deaths.
We
need
to
leverage
opportunities
like
the
one
we
have
with
this
bill
to
create
a
better,
safer
and
healthier
City
for
pregnant
philadelphians
and
their
families.
Thank
you.
C
C
H
Yes,
thank
you
very
much.
Madam
chair
I
just
wanted
to
express
my
gratitude
to
this
entire
panel.
I.
Think
it's
a
great
example
of
how
you
know.
Different
parts
of
the
the
housing
system
are
coming
together
to
figure
out.
Solutions
I
really
want
to
thank
Sue,
wasser
Krug
and
your
team
of
amazing
housing
counselors,
who
are
out
there
delivering
a
message
of
agency
of
opportunity
and
of
hope.
H
You
know
that
we
can
find
a
solution
to
some
of
the
biggest
crises
that
most
people
face
and
I
especially
want
to
thank
Andre
Del
Val
for
your
partnership
at
at
the
apartment
association.
It's
something
that
we're
deeply
committed
to
on
a
very
personal
level.
I
think
we
are
trying
to
again,
as
I
said,
not
be
hyper
prescriptive
about
legislation.
We
want
legislation
to
provide
us
the
opportunity
to
do
something
significant
and
important.
H
Now,
as
vice
president
I
believe
for
PA,
congratulations,
thank
you
is
yes,
absolutely
is
to
is
to
is
to
find
a
truly
prosperous
housing.
Economy
starts
with
stability
and
the
certainty
that
that
landlords
can
say
in
business
and
that
tenants
have
you
know,
opportunities
to
to
be
housing,
stable
and,
of
course,
I
really
want
to
thank
our
partners
at
maternity,
Care
Coalition.
Thank
you.
H
So
much
I
think
we
said
it
before
the
building
block
of
a
healthy
city,
the
building
block
of
a
prosperous
economy
and
the
building
block
of
Public
Safety
starts
with
a
healthy
family
and
maternity
Care.
Coalition
has
been
one
of
the
most
important
Partners
in
seeing
the
link
between
literally
life,
and
you
know
the
Vitality
of
of
our
city.
So
thank
you
so
much
for
for
being
supportive
and
being
our
partners
through
this
and
many
other
things.
So
thank
you
very
much.
Madam
chair.
P
Thank
you
so
much
good
morning,
The
Honorable
net,
M,
Rizzo
and
I'm
glad
to
be
here
so
I.
You
know
I
have
to
Echo.
You
know
you're,
not
seeing
my
big
grin
everyone
of
just
how
proud,
with
the
capital,
P
I
am,
of
course
not
this
esteemed
committee
on
housing,
neighborhood
development,
the
homeless
as
well,
council
member
Jim
and
your
team,
and
your
supporters
of
this
bill
check
out
chair,
Brooks
and
Thomas.
Thank
you
so
much,
but
a
grin
that
goes
beyond
everyone.
P
Who's
just
present
I
just
have
to
stop
and
give
a
pause
really
of
how
much
Journey
you
have
done.
Having
lived
a
life
in
very
parallel
tracks,
how
successful
this
has
been
but
more
to
come.
So
at
your
invitation,
I
appreciate
to
weigh
in
and
absolutely
endorse,
of
course
passage
of
Bill
number
22065
and
it's
a
progeny
that
will
come
after
that
to
hopefully
make
this
an
established
part
of
Philadelphia's
landscape
in
terms
of
really
sustaining
the
housing
for
our
citizens.
P
I
appreciate
these
health
checks
on
the
program
which
obviously
were
born
out
of
crisis,
shaped
by
the
laser
focus
of
the
needs
of
the
moment
to
stay
boys
housing
for
so
many
vulnerable
philadelphians,
all
under
the
extraordinary
stressors
of
a
World
Health
catastrophe
and
economic
meltdown.
Now,
you're
marking
a
two-year
anniversary
pause
of
the
evictions
aversion
program.
We
now
do
have
the
opportunity
to
look
over
our
shoulders
as
to
what
has
been
accomplished.
P
The
journey
has
been
done
and
what
actual
benefits
have
been
brought
with
the
efforts
and
energies
generated
from
this
very
legislative
body
to
make
eviction
diversion
a
reality.
Thank
you.
So
members
of
the
power
panels
of
speakers
have
shared
data
and
also
granular
information
on
the
day-to-day
operations
of
the
program,
I'm,
especially
struck
by
the
vignettes
shared
by
Sue
Wasa
crew,
but,
most
importantly
by
the
poignant
story.
Her
story
told
by
Miss
Harvey
thank
you
for
for
stepping
up
to
share
that.
P
So
I'm
not
here
to
reiterate
that
data,
but
only
to
reflect
on
the
data
in
a
global
way.
What
have
we
accomplished?
Yes,
the
culture
arms
has
been
answered
and
I
love.
The
idea
that
on
each
and
every
opportunity
that
was
shown
a
cohort,
a
biosphere
of
certain
stakeholders
and
those
who
are
benefactors
of
this
program
coming
together,
it
has
been
an
amazing
I
call
it
a
ballet,
a
ballet
of
amazing
movements
and
parts
at
the
same
time,
and
yet
all
working
to
produce
this
wonderful
theater.
P
That
in
reality,
has
created
so
much
good
and
it's
been
a
path
of
Lessons,
Learned,
obviously
from
the
city's
other
programs,
with
mortgage
foreclosure,
with
tax
lien
and
with
other
programs
such
as
that
and
the
dhcd
under
Melissa
long
and
her
team,
of
course,
to
put
this
together.
Cls
PLA
and
the
stewardship
of
that
hotline,
which
is
really
the
portal
entry
for
so
many
to
really
find
help
as
they
get
directed
to
the
vitals
resources
of
the
city
and,
of
course,
Cora,
which
really
encompass
is
Good.
Shepherd.
P
As
we
started
this
program,
it's
an
amazing
as
I
say,
poured
out
to
entry
of
it.
We
see
the
power.
The
power
of
mediation
as
Abraham
talked
about
a
safe
space
where
landlords
and
tenants
can
really
talk
and
dialogue
face
to
face,
even
though
it's
not
in
person
or
even
by
Zoom
for
chance,
which
even
shows
that
even
those
hurdles
have
not
stopped
the
success
of
this
program,
and
that
is
a
huge
and
significant
accomplishment
beyond
all
that
could
be
accomplished.
So
where
do
we
go
endorsement
of
this
bill
to
support
the
eviction?
P
Diversion
means
only
one
thing:
bringing
more
success.
More
stability
built
upon
a
platform
that
has
been
established
two
years
ago
and,
in
particular,
adding
the
consistency
and
Level
Playing
Field
with
the
program
making
it
mandatory
pre-filing
from
the
very
beginning,
has
really
set
the
stage
of
what
what
has
been
accomplished
and
what
can
be
accomplished.
P
So,
though,
it
has
not
been
a
straight
line
of
meeting
goals,
it's
building
blocks
for
a
much
stronger
program
in
the
future.
I
would
even
miss
not
to
recognize
representatives
of
the
landlords
and
the
trade
associations
and
Council,
of
course,
for
them.
The
city
agencies.
Everyone
else
that
has
stepped
up
are
wonderful,
wonderful,
precious
housing
counselors,
which
really
are
at
the
heart
of
the
program
and
really
are
serve
at
that
epicenter,
so
faithfully
and
so
successfully.
P
So
as
much
as
I
say
to
you
all,
it
is
a
time
to
look
over
our
shoulders
as
to
what
has
been
done,
but
I
respectfully
suggest
to
you
don't
stare.
We
need
to
plan
thoughtfully
and
strategically
to
improve
that
which
has
been
developed.
So
I
suggest
my
three
C's
first
coordinate,
coordinate
more
systemically
with
the
courts
and
I'm
so
actually
thrilled
coming
from
the
bench
to
see
that
coordination
has
started
to
just
reduce
court
docket
and
provide
a
platform
even
when
matters
do
have
to
come
into
the
court
system.
P
P
I
give
a
shout
out
to
judge
Fox
who's
really
has
shifted
culture
in
the
court
to
really
look
at
the
Hydraulics
of
the
court
system
to
see
it
can
be
more
responsive
to
all
the
stakeholders,
particularly
the
tenants
coming
in
with
landlords
to
get
the
matters
adjudicated
with
the
chance,
real,
as
I
said,
to
offer
him
and
see
what
can
be
done
to
sustain
that
relationship.
That
is
new
and
it's
something
that
should
be
celebrated
and
a
great
salute
to
judge
Fox
and
his
team
at
the
fjd.
P
P
Just
last
night
I
attended
a
lecture
with
Anita
Hill
for
those
who
may
remember
her
from
history
31
years
ago,
she
testified
before
the
U.S
Senate
Judiciary
Committee
about
gender
issues,
gender
discrimination
and
harassment,
and
she
started
a
movement
that
she
talked
about
as
a
culture
shift
for
those
who
are
in
distressed
needs
to
come
forward
and
she
talked
about
that
being
step
one.
But
that's
just
step
one,
so
a
culture
shift
in
what
she
sees
has
developed
to
really
hopefully
go
on
a
path
of
structural
and
institutional
changes
and
I
suggest.
P
Here
we
learn
from
that
in
our
very
very
subject
we
have
here
today.
Culture
has
shifted,
culture
has
shifted,
so,
let's
based
on
that,
continue
to
work
to
have
those
institutionalized
or
structurally
their
present,
to
really
help
all
the
citizens
of
Philadelphia.
Once
again,
this
ballet
of
services
that
we've
talked
about,
which
is
just
incredible,
particularly
dealing
with
the
challenges
of
private
Equity,
coming
into
our
city
limits
as
other
major
cities.
P
We
have
got
to
be
that
voice
that
sense
of
Education
that
sense
of
structure
to
offer
opportunities
for
private
Equity
to
be
in
Partnership
to
stabilize
our
housing
on
a
city-wide
basis
and
I
I
know
that's
a
challenge
that
rests
with
this
legislative
body.
You
are
up
to
that
challenge
commitment.
We
need
to
commit
our
precious
resources.
P
The
fact
that
the
city
has
stepped
up
with,
of
course,
city
council
and
the
mayor
with
dedicated
resources
going
forward
for
rental
assistance,
shows
that
commitment
that
is
so
valuable,
so
Priceless
for
us,
as
we
move
forward
with
other
initiatives,
is
right
to
cancel
partner
with
our
local
foundations
and,
of
course,
the
trf
study
that
comes
forward.
It
was
vital
to
the
mortgage
program.
It
will
be
a
Guiding
Light
and
principle
to
see
where
there
can
be
opportunities
of
modification
shift,
change
that
meets
the
needs,
and
you
will
learn
much
from
that
data.
P
But
we
are
all
data
driven,
it's
sort
of
our
Benchmark
and
it's
what
makes
us
a
special
program
and
one
that
can
be
modeled
again:
Beyond
Philadelphia
borders
through
the
Commonwealth
and
other
States
history
has
proven
that
and
you
in
fact
will
step
up
the
one
issue
I
want
to
talk
about
is
we
have
to
be
thoughtful
in
coordination?
My
last
point
with
making
the
successes
of
eviction
Diversion
the
best
it
can
be
really
celebrating.
These
volunteer
mediation,
mediators,
who've,
actually
are
colleagues
of
mine
from
jams
now
doing
mediation
full-time.
P
We
see
the
power
of
it
to
help,
support
that
in
training
and
expansion,
also
to
look
at
the
life
of
sort
of
the
distress
that
a
tenant
undergoes
both
from
notice
from
the
landlord
informal
dialogue
coming
into
diversion,
possibly
being
a
court
action
and
what
follows
in
terms
of
having
a
record
also
to
try
to
serve
again,
take
something
sideways
and
hopefully
address
some
of
the
default
judgment
issues
with
more
notice
and
education
throughout
the
community.
There
is
opportunity
for
partnership
there.
P
We
need
to
take
that
up
and
have
commitment
to
it
to
really
see
it.
All
these
inflection
points
where
we
again
can
help
to
stabilize
housing,
so
in
just
closing
again
a
huge
Kudos
and
shout
out
to
all
of
you
all
of
you
on
this
platform
to
all
that
you
have
done.
All
that
you
will
continue
to
do
passage
of
this
bill
will
provide,
of
course,
that
needed
platform
as
we
move
forward
and
again
Remain
the
model
throughout
the
country,
not
because
we
are,
but
because
we
do
so
as
I
say,
with
every
speech.
C
Thank
you
so
much
judge
Rizzo.
Thank
you
for
those
important
insights.
Thank
you
for
your
endorsement
of
this
critical
program.
But,
more
importantly,
thank
you
for
your
contributions
to
this
program
into
the
cause
of
affordable
housing,
more
broadly
in
the
city,
so
I
have
a
feeling
that
members
want
to
also
jump
in
and
make
some
comments,
so
I'm
not
going
to
make
you
guys
wait
until
the
end
of
the
panel
council,
member
gam
and
then
council
member,
oh
sorry,
council,
member,
Gilmore,
Richardson
and
then
council
member
Jim.
C
F
F
Now
and
I
will
say
it
usually
takes
about
a
month
or
so
to
get
through
the
initial
part
of
the
the
program,
and
so
with
the
the
30
million
dollars
that
was
set
aside.
Will
there
be
rental
assistance
for
that
first,
30
months
of
the
first
30
days,
I'm
sorry
of
the
process.
You
know
typically
you're
mandated
to
go
through
that
first
30
days,
but
will
there
be
rental
assistance
given
for
that
portion
of
the
process
as
well.
F
J
So
this
is
going
to
be
a
different
process
right
and
it's
very
compact,
so
we're
very
looking
to
streamline
the
application
right
and
it's
I
just
do
want
to
add.
While
this
30
million
is
absolutely
amazing,
it
is
going
to
be
very
targeted
and
not
as
substantial
for
each
tenant.
So
we
are
working
through
that
with
the
partners
and
our
Tech
folks
to
try
to
you,
know
Provide
support
so
that
folks
can
get
into
a
repayment
agreement.
A
J
Yeah
yeah,
okay,
yeah,
yeah,
so
I
think,
and
you
know
happy
to
follow
up
because
we're
working
through
all
that
process
right
and
hopefully
that
it
won't
take
as
long
that
again,
you
know
those
that
can
have
a
you
know.
Speedy
review
and
and
quick
agreement
and
turn
around
also
working
with
phdc
are
great
Partners
in
this
to
get
payments
out
quickly
so
happy
to
follow
up
with
you
as
we
get
you
know
closer
to
having
that
buttoned
up.
Okay,.
F
F
Funding
is
available.
It
will
be
more
stringent
so
that
we
can
help
more
families
than
before
and
I
appreciate
the
work
that
you
all
are
doing
there
and
then,
lastly,
and
I
just
I
thought
about
this.
Listening
to
just
all
the
the
testimony
and
thinking
about
how
things
went
previously,
what
resources
will
be
necessary
to
create
a
post-filing
mediation
program
here
in
the
city?
F
J
Q
There
we
go
sorry
about
that:
Eva,
Gladstone,
Deputy,
managing
director
for
Health
and
Human
Services
we're
very
much
looking
forward
to
the
ability
to
create
a
post
filing
eviction
diversion
program.
But
we
are
very
concerned
that
we
do
that
once
there
is
some
methodology
for
making
sure
that
there's
no
record
that
would
blight
the
tenants
opportunity
going
forward
in
the
future.
So
that's
going
to
take
some
work
with
a
number
of
Partners.
F
H
Yes,
just
a
brief
comment.
First
of
all,
thank
you
so
much
councilmember,
Gilmore
Richardson
and
you
know
I,
think
for
pointing
out
and
keeping
on
the
record
that
there
is
dedicated
rental
assistance
money
for
the
eviction
diversion
program,
and
it
is
money
that,
unlike
the
state
and
our
money
that
flowed
through
the
federal
government,
it's
ones
where
we
can
actually
you
know,
be
more
in
control
of
the
regulations.
So,
as
you
said,
we
can
reach
more
families.
H
We
can
reach
more
individuals
and
hopefully
make
it
less
as
long
as
we
can
I
also
just
wanted
to
just
have
a
brief
moment
of
thanks
for
judge,
Rizzo
and
obviously
I
think
judge
Rizzo
and
councilmember
Jones
helping
lead
the
mortgage
foreclosure
diversion
program
through
our
city.
At
a
time
when
there
was
Crisis
was
a
great
model
for
showing
you
know
for
laying
the
groundwork
for
the
eviction
diversion
program
as
well.
H
But
in
this
particular
case
the
collaboration
pushed
us
through
and
the
resources
followed
and
I
do
think
that
that
is
a
lesson
that
judge
Rizzo
kind
of
echoed
in
many
of
her
comments,
which
is
like.
Sometimes
you
just
have
to.
Will
these
things
into
being,
and
certainly
with
someone
like
judge,
Rizzo
being
a
force
of
will
and
nature
as
well.
H
Those
things
seem
possible,
but
you
know
you've
seen
it
now
through
two
different
crises:
how
housing
crises
for
the
nation
and
here
at
home
and
I
just
want
to
thank
you
for
being
that
stable
anchor
through
both
those
crises
and
for
really
guiding
us
with
you
know,
with
your
voice
and
with
with
competency
as
well.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
Thank.
C
I
Good
morning,
council,
member
Jamie
Gautier
and
vice
chair
Jones
and
the
members
of
the
housing,
neighborhood
development
and
homeless
committee
I
am
Barbara
Amstutz,
a
retired
lawyer,
serving
as
a
volunteer
mediator
since
the
program's
Inception,
with
Good
Shepherd
mediation,
GSM,
a
non-profit
agency
selected
by
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
to
implement
landlord
and
tenant
mediation
for
the
eviction
diversion
program
in
partnership
with
Community
Legal
Services
of
Philadelphia
and
pursuant
to
the
emergency
housing
protections
act.
Gsm
provides
landlords
and
tenants
an
opportunity
to
resolve
their
housing
issues
through
sustainable
mediated
agreements.
I
The
goal
to
prevent
the
devastating
consequences
of
eviction
and
homelessness.
For
decades,
GSM
has
been
providing
mediation
for
individuals
in
need
of
dispute
resolution
in
a
variety
of
settings
to
include
Juvenile
Justice
peer
mediation
in
schools,
family
in
custody
and
conflict
resolution
with
seniors.
Mediation
is
also
particularly
effective
in
landlord
and
tenant
disputes,
because
it
facilitates
a
process
that
refrains
the
issues
for
the
parties
and
enables
them
to
identify
their
own
Solutions.
I
Housing
counselors
play
a
vital
role
in
the
process,
too.
A
partnership
with
non-profit
housing,
counseling
agencies,
pair
housing,
Advocates
with
tenants
to
support
them
during
the
mediation
housing
counselors,
provide
the
knowledge
of
where
to
source
and
apply
for
rental
assistance
and
collaborate
seamlessly
and
closely
with
tenants
to
provide
advocacy
and
support.
I
have
been
most
impressed
with
the
housing
counselors
and
their
work,
and
there
are
many
contributions
during
mediations.
I
I
have
mediated
an
extensive
number
and
variety
of
cases
involving
repayment
agreements,
disputes
over
utility
bills,
unanticipated
rent
increases
negotiations
for
move-out
dates,
new
leases,
redress
for
repairs.
In
these
situations,
the
parties
work
together
to
establish
a
monthly
prorated
payment
plan
for
the
arrearages
and
ongoing
rent
and
address
many
of
the
nine
non-financial
issues.
By
diverting,
the
cape
from
the
court
system.
I
Parties
have
avoided
eviction
and
address
the
other
housing
issues
without
incurring
any
incremental
costs
due
to
the
good
faith,
efforts
of
both
the
tenant
and
the
landlord
and
the
many
contributions
of
the
housing
Advocates.
These
cases
reach
resolution
and
in
each
instance
the
agreement
came
directly
from
the
self-determination
of
the
participants.
I
Based
on
my
experience,
this
diversion
pathway
is
most
effective,
reduces
the
backlog
and
housing
court
from
90
to
30
days
reduces
evictions
that
may
lead
to
homelessness
and
meets
the
needs
of
both
the
tenant
and
the
landlord.
With
an
expedient
and
self-determined
solution
that
includes
resource
referrals
and
counseling
support
I
strongly
support
the
continuation
of
this
eviction
diversion
program
in
2023
and
on
to
2024..
C
R
R
The
2020
Corona
virus
pandemic
wreaked
havoc
throughout
the
world.
This
was
especially
seen
with
low-income
families
who
struggled
to
maintain
jobs
and
housing.
Families
who
rent
their
homes
found
themselves
in
fear
of
being
evicted
and
and
the
fear
of
homelessness
landlords
were
in
fear
of
not
being
able
to
receive
payment
and
losing
their
properties.
This
program
has
helped
both
for
the
past
two
years.
R
The
city
of
Philadelphia
has
administrated
a
successful
pre-filing
eviction,
diversion
program
launched
in
September
2020
by
providing
notices,
resources
and
counseling
support,
as
well
as
trained
mediators
to
Res
to
resolve
these
disputes.
These
are
desperately
needed
in
the
in
this
time.
We
have
families
that
are
concerned
that
about
homelessness,
about
losing
their
jobs
and
this,
and
we
find
that,
when
you
are
in
in
an
eviction
process,
all
of
these
things
come
into.
R
We
are
hoping
that
this
will
become
more
of
a
permanent
plan,
and
we
we
ask
that
those
that
are
involved.
Look
for
that
and
look
to
see
that
that
can
happen.
The
program
has
proven
dramatically
to
reduce
evictions
in
what
was
once
the
fourth
highest
evicting
City
in
the
nation.
The
eviction
diversion
program
not
only
prevented
an
overwhelming
number
of
cases
from
reaching
court,
but
it
also
recently
helped
reduce
Court
wait
times
from
90
days
to
30.
R
by
building
this
program
success
cases
which
require
Court
resolutions
are
heard
significantly
faster,
and
that
is
again
something
that
is
very
important
to
those
that
are
in
a
process
of
eviction,
because
you
only
have
a
certain
amount
of
time,
and
in
that
time
you
are
trying
to.
If
not
look
for,
for
additional
housing,
but
hopefully
be
in
in
in
a
chance
to
receive
assistance.
R
We
must
continue
to
support
families
with
this
program
and
others
to
assure
that
families
and
landlords
can
work
together
cohesively.
We
have
seen
and
heard
the
horror
stories
of
what
happens
when
families
are
displaced
or
put
in
a
situation
where
they
cannot
receive
housing
because
they
have
received
an
eviction
on
their
credit.
R
I
would
hope
that
the
eviction
diversion
program
will
be
extended
to
assure
that
citizens
eligible
continue
to
maintain
their
homes,
family
and
stability.
I
I
saw
that
judge.
Rizzo
was
on
the
line
earlier,
I'm,
not
sure
if
she's
still
there
but
has
been
an
advocate
for
many
years
when
I
worked
at
the
Philadelphia
Sheriff's
Office,
where
this
program
I
was
in
contact
when
this
program
began.
R
This
has
just
been
so
needed
throughout
the
city,
because
we
have
so
many
families
that
are
in
need
of
not
only
a
diversion
program
like
this,
but
an
opportunity
to
get
assistance
so
again
with
the
Philadelphia
branch
in
double
ACP,
along
with
the
national
housing,
is
one
of
the
our
call
to
actions
and
call
to
charge
to
make
sure
that
this
is
something
that
we
are
looking
at.
So
we
are
in
full
support
and
again
I
want
to
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
on
this.
C
P
R
R
P
Yeah,
great
and
I
just
want
to
thank
you
so
much
for
all
your
your
journey
now
fantastic,
but
as
well
comments
made
big
shout
out
to
councilmember
Jones
smile,
big.
He
called
me
a
Shiro
I
call
me
hero
right
back
and
all
of
you
online
really
amazing,
so
very
ratified
and
humble
by
your
comments
and
I'm
honored
to
be
still
part
of
this
incredible
team.
Thank
you.
Thank.
C
C
C
There
being
no
further
questions
from
members
of
the
committee
and
no
other
witnesses
to
testify
I
want
to
thank
all
the
panels
and
Witnesses
for
their
participation.
Today,
we
value
your
opinions.
I
now
invite
all
panels
and
witnesses
to
please
disconnect.
Before
we
go
into
our
public
meeting.
We
will
now
pause
the
proceedings
briefly,
as
multiple
participants
leave
the
hearing.