With the federal eviction moratorium slated to end on June 30, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania has proposed to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas a 60-day stay on evictions for those tenants applying for the county emergency rental assistance program.
In a letter sent from the the nonprofit that aids low-income and vulnerable clients to Bucks County President Judge Wallace Bateman, Joshua Goldblum, the attorney managing the organization’s Bristol Township office, asked for the stay, citing the economic impact of COVID-19 and availability of federal aid funds available.
Advertisements
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania requested the following measures be adopted by the county courts:
1. Upon the filing of a Landlord-Tenant action, Tenants shall be sent written notice to contact Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance for rental assistance. Tenants or BERA shall then notify the court to confirm that an application has been submitted, triggering a 60 day stay to allow the application to be processed.
2. For Landlord-Tenant actions already pending, tenants shall be allowed to apply for rental assistance and obtain a 60 day stay, at any time prior to eviction, even after entry of judgment.
Advertisements
3. Evictions may proceed upon final denial of the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance application, or 60 days from the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance application, whichever occurs first.
4. The Emergency Order shall terminate upon the expiration of the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance program.
Advertisements
“This proposed Emergency Order is temporary and limited. There will be unjust consequences if this court fails to issue it. Failure to plug this gap created by the termination of the CDC moratorium will result in hundreds of evictions at enormous cost to tenants, landlords, the county, and the public at large—a disaster that is totally avoidable at minimal cost. We appreciate that Your Honor has given this proposal your serious consideration,” Goldblum said.
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania officials said the stay, if issued by the president judge, could help curb homelessness in the coming months.
There have been state and federal eviction moratoriums in place for most of the pandemic, but advocates worry that many facing tough times could be on the streets once the current order ends.
Advertisements
The existing moratorium halts evictions for those who owe back rent and not for other problems, like noise complaints.
Using $37 million in federal funds, the Bucks County Emergency Rental Assistance (BERA) program was launched in March to aid tenants and landlords who are struggling.
Advertisements
The courts, county officials, and nonprofits have urged residents in need to apply for the program that brings relief for tenants and landlords.
Approximately 2,000 eviction notices were filed in Bucks County last year. While eviction notices can be filed while the moratorium is in place, the moratorium process can halt evictions if handled properly.
Advertisements
For more on the Bucks County Emergency Rental Assistance, click here.
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
