Pennsylvania State Capital Bureau: Candy Woodall - July 26, 2021
When the federal moratorium on eviction expires this week, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents could lose their homes.
Nearly 200,000 renters say they are likely to be evicted in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey taken June 23 through July 5.
That number climbs to almost 600,000 Pennsylvanians who could be without a home when considering that most renters at risk have three people in their households, including children.
More residents requested help with rent and utilities in June than the three previous months combined, and state officials are urging Pennsylvania renters not to wait until the last minute to ask for assistance.
Before the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eviction moratorium ends July 31, renters can get help through the state's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program launched in March and helps those struggling to cover housing costs in the state because of the pandemic.
To qualify for assistance, an applicant must meet each of the following criteria:
One or more people within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had a decrease in income, had increased household costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One or more individuals in the household can show a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The household has an income at or below 80 percent of area median income, which varies by county. Income limits by county are available on the DHS website.
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