The City has launched a rental assistance program for tenants. Applications open Tues (5/12) and the deadline is next Sat (5/16), so people have to act fast. All selected tenants will receive rent assistance for up to three consecutive months for up to $2,500 total. If funding permits we will try to provide ongoing assistance for up to a year for renters who still need help after three months.
Your situation will be re-evaluated every three months. Depending on your situation you may receive emergency rental assistance for three months, six months, nine months or one year. Assistance is limited to $2,500 per three-month period
You can apply from this website beginning Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. The deadline to apply is Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 5 p.m.
To be eligible:
You must rent an apartment or house in Philadelphia
You must have a valid and current written lease signed by your landlord
You must have lost income because of COVID-19
You do NOT have to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.
You are NOT eligible if:
You live in public housing
You receive other government rental assistance (Section 8, Housing Choice Vouchers, etc.)
You have unpaid rent from before April
You are in the process of being evicted
You must provide these documents:
A copy of your valid, current lease, signed by your landlord
Proof of income from before the COVID-19-related income loss for all adult members of the household
An ID that matches the name on your lease
You will have to submit:
The online application
A Housing Condition Survey
An affidavit confirming your loss of income due to COVID-19
These documents are all available through the online application.
Your landlord must have a rental license and be current on City taxes. If necessary, landlords will be given one week to resolve these issues with the City.
Your landlord must also agree to:
Accept the rental payment (the first three months of assistance will be May, June and July 2020)
Not pursue eviction for non-payment while receiving rental assistance from the City and for six months after the final City payment
Waive any late fees or penalties for rent not paid in April and May
Provide six months after the final payment from the City to repay any missed rent from April and from the period while the City was paying rental assistance
To learn more, click here.