Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead Friday issued the following statement on the ruling from the United States Supreme Court that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s nationwide moratorium on evictions in counties with substantial or higher COVID-19 transmission. Residential renters and landlords should not wait to pursue assistance available through Pennsylvania’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
The statement reads in part as follows:
“We are once again in a period of great danger to health and well-being due to rapid spread of the COVID-19 delta variant. The CDC’s eviction moratorium has allowed people to remain housed – a basic need that is essential to keeping people safe as cases continue to rise in Pennsylvania and around the country. Without this moratorium, individuals and families may face imminent eviction as enhanced unemployment benefits lapse, the school year begins, and COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
“Pennsylvanians fearing eviction do not have to go through this alone. ERAP funding is available for unpaid rent, future balances, and rehousing and relocation costs necessary to help you find a safe house, but you must apply now.
“To landlords and property managers – I urge you to exercise compassion and work with your tenants through this time. Eviction helps no one – these eviction filings will follow tenants beyond this crisis, and at the end of the process, these balances will not get paid. ERAP can give your tenants security while ensuring that you are made whole. Because there are no caps on this assistance, this aid can help both tenants and landlords stabilize after an incredibly difficult 18 months. Evictions should be an absolute last resort – please work with your tenants and let ERAP help.”
The Wolf Administration established the ERAP in partnership with the General Assembly through Act 1 of 2021 to distribute $569 million to Pennsylvania households through partnerships with local leaders. An additional $278 million in rental assistance was directly allocated to Pennsylvania’s largest counties by the federal government, making a total of $847 million available to support renters and landlords feeling the strain of this economic insecurity across Pennsylvania. In total, $218.5 million has been distributed to more than 50,300 households in Pennsylvania as of July 31.
Funding for ERAP comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and further rental assistance funds included in the American Rescue Plan Act were appropriated in Act 24 of 2021 signed in July by Gov. Wolf. These resources will be available to support renters soon, so ample funding is available to help renters and landlords settle unpaid rent.
Households may be eligible for up to 18 months of assistance to cover past-due or future rental and/or utility payments.
Either tenants or landlords can apply for this assistance, but a tenant does not need a landlord’s permission to apply and use this assistance. This program is an opportunity to help ease circumstances for both parties, so landlords and tenants are strongly encouraged to work cooperatively to secure this stabilizing assistance. ERAP is overseen by DHS at the state level but administered locally by county and municipal partners. Pennsylvanians can learn how to apply in their county of residence online at www.dhs.pa.gov/ERAP.
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