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Bar Associations launch information campaign to assist at-risk renters, homeowners

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The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), along with 26 county bar associations, has launched the “Pandemic preparedness: When your home is at risk” public information campaign.

Part of a statewide effort co-sponsored by the PBA, the Pennsylvania Bar Trust Fund and county bar associations across the state, including Bucks, the campaign was developed to increase the public’s understanding of their rights when renting or owning a home, with a special focus on the impact from the pandemic.

“With unemployment rates at an all-time high in Pennsylvania, many residents are still feeling negative financial impacts of COVID-19, especially when it comes to their homes,” said PBA President David E. Schwager. “Missed rent and mortgage payments are piling up, and while some temporary protections and programs for renters and borrowers have been put in place, many will need help once they end. What rights, if any, will they have if their homes are in jeopardy? Is there legal help available? This public information campaign tackles these issues and more.”
Running during the month of October, the main components of the campaign include:

—two recorded presentations for potentially impacted mortgage holders and renters: one where Schwager interviews Rasheedah Phillips, managing attorney of housing policy for Community Legal Services of Philadelphia about rental eviction and another about mortgage foreclosures with Schwager interviewing Lori Toia, director of the Home Emergency Mortgage Association Program at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency;

—two free informational brochures: one for renters and one for mortgage holders with essentials on the home renting and homebuying process and expectations;

—fact sheets about the mortgage foreclosure and rental eviction process and current support that is available, as well as online links to other informational resources from additional Pennsylvania associations and nonprofits.

For information, visit pabar.org/site/News-and-Publications/Consumer-Resources/When-Your-Home-Is-at-Risk-Public-Information-Campaign.

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