Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
An order from Bucks County’s president judge is designed to reduce evictions for people behind on their rent.
Bucks County President Judge Wallace Bateman signed the order Thursday that will put a hold on evictions for nonpayment if tenants are in the process of seeking assistance through the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance (BERA) program. The court action takes effect August 1 and runs through December 31.
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“People unable to pay rent because they have lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic will not be ousted if they have applied for BERA aid and submitted a request for stay to the court,” according to a statement from county officials.
The judge’s action comes days before the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eviction moratorium ends with the close of the month. The moratorium started during President Donald Trump’s term and continued with President Joe Biden’s administration.
Through COVID-19 aid programs, federal officials have directed billions in dollars to programs to help people stay in their homes.
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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.
County officials said Friday that the program has paid out more than $7.78 million to landlords, aiding 858 households.
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Those seeking assistance with housing can call the BERA helpline at 1-888-50-BUCKS or visit the website.
The Doylestown Intelligencer reported last month that Bucks County Housing Services Department Director Jeffrey Fields said the BERA program was getting better at quickly processing applications, but more time was needed.
The Bucks County courts’ action this week will give those facing eviction for nonpayment some breathing room if they have started the process of getting assistance. For landlords, the BERA program means they are in line for payment to cover the residents’ unpaid rent. The judge’s order will also allow more time for paperwork to be processed by the BERA program, which is a partnership between local organizations and county government.
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While there have been evictions in the county for issues not related to payment, state and federal moratoriums have stopped evictions over unpaid rent in their tracks. However, with the CDC moratorium ending next week, there was concern there would be a wave of evictions coming soon.
According to Census Bureau data from late June through early July, one in seven renters were not caught up on rent payments during the pandemic. The data showed Black, Latino, Asian, and indigenous renters were facing the greatest hardship.
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“We appreciate Judge Bateman and the courts’ recognition of the importance of this challenging situation facing those who rent in Bucks County,” Diane Ellis-Marseglia, chair of the Bucks County Commissioners, said in a statement. “Outreach and paperwork take time, and every extra minute counts when it comes to getting residents the help they need.”
Joshua Goldblum, the attorney managing Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania‘s Bristol Township office, had asked Bateman in June to issue additional time for those seeking aid through BERA.
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“I’m very pleased on behalf of tenants, on behalf of landlords, and on behalf of all of Bucks County,” he told LevittownNow.com. “Mass evictions would be a real blow to everyone in the county.”
The attorney that aids low-income and vulnerable clients commended the county courts, court administration, BERA program administrators, tenant advocates, and county government for their efforts.
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Goldblum said BERA has been a very effective program that has had a real impact in helping people.
Bucks County is the first of the suburban counties in the Philadelphia region and maybe the first the in the state to issue a local court action to delay evictions while assistance is being provided.
“This will work and will stop an enormous nightmare from occurring,” Goldblum said.
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