Credit: Christopher Millette/PennLive
The Bucks County president judge’s order aimed at reducing evictions for people seeking assistance paying rent through an aid program received approval from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Monday.
President Judge Wallace Bateman signed the order last month to 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 order was to take effect August 1 and end December 31.
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Bateman rescinded the order last week after a procedural objection, so the Pennsylvania Supreme Court could review it.
In the Monday ruling by the state’s highest court, Bateman’s order is now set to end October 31 and allows district judges to end continuances in eviction cases where a BERA application has been denied, withdrawn, or terminated.
At the end of July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eviction moratorium ended. With the COVID-19 pandemic, various moratoriums at the state and federal level have been in place.
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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 last month 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 Bucks County Court, court administration, BERA, and Legal Aid all worked together to accomplish our common goal of reducing evictions in Bucks County. We understand the Court’s care in having its order approved by the PA Supreme Court so that there can be no doubt as to the Court’s legal authority to take these extraordinary steps. The immediate risk of countless, unnecessary evictions demanded this extraordinary action,” Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania said in a statement.
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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Goldblum applauded Bateman’s order and said the BERA has been a very effective.
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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