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Recognizing and honoring Mayor James F. Kenney's administration, the First Judicial District, and organizational partners for establishing Philadelphia's Eviction Diversion and Rental Assistance programs that have succeeded in keeping individuals and families housed, as well as protecting the public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and becoming a model program for the nation.
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WHEREAS, The global COVID-19 pandemic and associated widespread shutdowns beginning in March 2020 caused many Philadelphians to lose their income, endangering their housing stability and thereby threatening public health at a time of mandatory "stay at home" orders; and
WHEREAS, In June 2020, City Council passed the Emergency Housing Protections Act, a package of bills designed to keep families housed amidst an unprecedented crisis. The legislation authorized the creation of a mandatory Eviction Diversion Program to connect renters and landlords to counseling, resources and mediation in an effort to avoid evictions, provide funds for landlords, and keep people housed; and
WHEREAS, The Eviction Diversion program launched in September 2020 with immense dedication from partnering agencies. Mayor Kenney's administration worked tirelessly to implement the Eviction Diversion Program as well as the other legislated protections, and to integrate them with the Rent Assist program. This collaborative effort brought together outside organizational partners including nonprofit legal services, landlord associations, professional mediators, and city agencies including the Philadelphia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the Health and Human Services Cabinet, the Philadelphia Law Department, the Philadelphia Fair Housing Commission and others to institute groundbreaking programs and protections for families in danger of eviction; and
WHEREAS, An instrumental partner in this effort was the First Judicial District of Philadelphia, un...
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