Philadelphia Expands Legal Aid To Curb Evictions For 3 New ZIP Codes
Low-income tenants staring down an eviction often face an uphill legal battle, but the expansion of Philadelphia’s right-to-counsel program could level the playing field to a degree.
The initiative providing free legal representation to renters making 200% or less of the federal poverty level just expanded into three additional ZIP codes: 19124 and 19141 in North Philly and 19154 in the Northeast.
Thirty-five percent of Philadelphia tenants facing eviction are now covered by the program, the city’s Department of Planning and Development said in a press release. It was already available in 19121, 19132, 19134, 19139 and 19144.
“This initiative has already proven to be a lifeline for thousands of our neighbors across the city,” Council Member Anthony Phillips said at a press conference celebrating the expansion Tuesday.
Some of the neighborhoods added are included in the 9th Council District, which Phillips inherited from Mayor Cherelle Parker after she won last year’s election.
“Philadelphia is home to many good and responsible landlords who work to provide safe and affordable housing for their tenants,” Phillips said.
“We also recognize that not all landlords are doing what’s right. Some are engaging in practices that threaten the stability of families and older Philadelphians, particularly through unlawful or unjust evictions. … By expanding the right-to-counsel program, we are giving tenants access to free legal assistance, empowering them to stand up for themselves in court and preventing wrongful evictions that could lead to homelessness.”
Renters can take advantage of the free legal services if they face eviction proceedings, administrative hearings that could lead to a lease termination, or a subsidy termination effort from the Philadelphia Housing Authority. It is available to eligible tenants regardless of immigration status.
The program began with council legislation passed in November 2019. It went into effect in February 2022 after the details were finalized in a second bill the year prior.
The right-to-counsel initiative is part of a broader tenant advocacy effort in Philly that also includes the eviction diversion program.
The out-of-court landlord-tenant mediation and short-term rental assistance provided by that program were piloted in 2020 and made permanent last year.
Over the 12 months ending in June 2024, the rate of court filings to evict Philadelphia tenants declined 41% compared to annual averages from 2016 to 2019, according to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab.
The city isn't working on this issue alone.
Last year, Pennsylvania lawmakers set aside $2.5M for an eviction diversion program for renters making up to 125% of the federal poverty level.
