Pa. extends eviction, foreclosure protections

Governor adds 60 days to moratorium

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order Thursday that puts a hold on evictions and foreclosures in the state through July 10 in response to 1.7 million Pennsylvanians either losing their jobs or having their paychecks reduced.

The governor’s order adds an additional 60 days from the end of the state Supreme Court’s previous moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, which is set to expire May 11.

“This executive order takes one more burden off people who are struggling and gives them time to get back on their feet,” the governor said.

Extending the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures works hand-in-hand with other efforts at the federal and state level to provide stable housing during this critical time. State officials have shuttered much of Pennsylvania’s economy to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming hospitals, causing unemployment to skyrocket.

“During the past few weeks, we’ve had great cooperation from Pennsylvanians who understand that staying home is not just about protecting themselves. It’s about protecting everyone in the community,” Mr. Wolf said Thursday as he announced the order. “Of course, there are some Pennsylvanians who are eager to comply, but are facing the stress of losing their home to eviction or foreclosure.”

In March, Mr. Wolf closed all businesses not deemed “life-sustaining” and began placing state residents under stay-at-home orders to contain the virus. Public health experts say such measures were necessary to save lives and keep cases at a manageable level for hospitals. But it’s also caused record unemployment as employees wait to see when workplaces will be allowed to

reopen or if companies will close their doors for good.

While Thursday’s announcement buys time for struggling homeowners and renters statewide, it doesn’t provide any cash assistance.

Rent and mortgage bills are still due, Mr. Wolf said, and if they go unpaid, tenants and homeowners might accrue back-owed payments.

“If you’re having trouble making payments, I encourage you to contact your mortgage company or your landlord,” Mr. Wolf said. “I asked those companies and those landlords to work with homeowners and renters during this difficult time for all of us.”

There are fears that there will be a flood of evictions and foreclosures when proceedings are allowed to resume, with advocates in Philadelphia sounding the alarm earlier this week. In a Thursday statement, City Council member Helen Gym said “over 1,700 evictions are already scheduled to be heard in our municipal courts alone.”

Pennsylvania is set to receive nearly $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars that can be used for coronavirusrelated issues. Senate Democrats have proposed using more than $1 billion of those funds for housing needs, including direct rent assistance and a Landlord Loss Mitigation Fund.

Mr. Wolf, who has discretion over how those dollars are spent, has yet to detail his spending plan.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Thursday that landlords represented by the Pennsylvania

Apartment Association have agreed to extend grace periods for late payments, waive late fees, and create payment plans for those experiencing financial hardship during the pandemic. His office has published resources — in English and Spanish — for those struggling financially.

The state needs people to stay home to stay healthy, Mr. Shapiro said.

“The pause on evictions and foreclosures gives Pennsylvanians peace of mind,” he said, “knowing they can focus on caring for them and their loved ones and putting food on the table and taking care of other necessities without losing the roof over their heads.”

Other relief for renters and landlords comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic

Security (CARES) Act, which halts all evictions and foreclosures for property owners and renters of properties that are backed by the federal government as well as a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures at properties that are backed by the Pennsylvania Federal Housing Authority (PFHA).

Both Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Wolf urged understanding as officials continue to weigh how quickly they can safely reopen Pennsylvania.

“If you’re a landlord, we understand you’re going through a tough time,” Mr. Wolf said. “If you’re a mortgage company, your mortgage holders are going through a tough time. Practice forbearance here. That’s the decent human thing to do.”