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Amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant," by adding a new Section 9-808, entitled "Legal Representation in Landlord Tenant Court," providing for access to free legal representation to the City of Philadelphia's low-income residents facing eviction in Landlord Tenant Court; under certain terms and conditions.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 9. Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions
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CHAPTER 9-800. LANDLORD AND TENANT
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? 9-808. Legal Representation in Landlord Tenant Court.
(1) Definitions.
(a) Covered Individual. Any person who occupies a dwelling in the City of Philadelphia under a claim of legal right other than the owner, including any tenant in a building owned, operated, or managed by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, whose annual gross income is not in excess of two-hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty guidelines as established and updated periodically by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)).
(b) Covered Proceeding. Any judicial or administrative proceeding to evict or terminate the tenancy or housing subsidy of a Covered Individual, any proceeding deemed by a Designated Organization as the functional equivalent of such a proceeding, or any first appeal of such a proceeding, including any judicial or administrative proceeding to remedy a violation of Section 9-800 of this Code, Philadelphia Fair Housing Ordinance, or Section 9-1600 of this Code, Prohibition Against Unlawful Eviction Practices.
(c) Designated Organization. Any not-for-profit organization or association that has the capacity to provide Full Legal Representation to Covered Individuals facing eviction, agrees to adhere to the standards of practice set forth in regulations, and is designated by the Managing Director pursuant to thi...
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