Renter Protections
STRENGTHEN RENTER PROTECTIONS AND PROVIDE RENTER ASSISTANCE TO ALL INCOME-ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS.
Hefty security deposits and unaffordable rents have created insurmountable housing barriers for too many Philadelphians. Even when families can pay the rent, many working people simply cannot afford a security deposit of two months’ rent, nor can they show an income of three times the rent. The time is now to build on the success of Philadelphia’s nationally recognized Eviction Diversion Program by implementing commonsense protections for renters and ensuring swift access to emergency rental assistance for all income-eligible households.
TOGETHER WE MUST
Close the gap between income and rent by expanding the Shallow Rent Program. Through the Shallow Rent Program we can ensure that affordable housing is truly affordable by providing households with rental assistance of up to $500 per month. Increase funding for the Shallow Rent Program to $5.25 million per year per PACDC recommendations.
End the 3x the rent rule. Prevent landlords from requiring proof that tenants earn at least three times the rent. Incentivize landlords to use alternative methods to determine whether tenants are likely to pay the rent on time such as a co-signer or reference from previous landlord.
Reduce move-in costs. Incentivize landlords to limit security deposits to no more than one month’s rent, allow households to pay security deposits of more than one month’s rent in installments, and limit rental application fees to $50 per tenant – as required by legislation recently passed by Philadelphia City Council.
Access to Emergency Rental Assistance. Ensure that renters can quickly and easily access emergency rental assistance from a variety of sources by streamlining and consolidating applications.
- Leverage the Landlord Engagement Program. Increase access to rental housing in the private market by strengthening the landlord engagement program.
