Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday signed an executive order prohibiting evictions and foreclosures in Pennsylvania through July 10.
The order extends by 60 days a moratorium that had previously been put in place by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The ban had twice been extended but was finally set to expire on Monday, May 11.
“At a time when people need to stay home to protect their heath, they should not have to worry about losing their homes,” Wolf said in a statement. “Ensuring that people can remain in their homes will help them to better protect their loved ones. It gives families the comfort of knowing they will have a place to live while all of us work together to fight COVID-19 and prepare to move Pennsylvania forward.”
About 1.7 million Pennsylvanians have filed unemployment claims since COVID-19 pandemic hit Pennsylvania, leading to business shutdowns, furloughs and layoffs.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro previously joined with the Pennsylvania Apartment Association to urge landlords to suspend evictions through July 15.
“I commend the governor for his decision to delay eviction and foreclosure proceedings,’ Shapiro said. ‘We know it’s critical for public health, and for our economic recovery, that people stay in their homes during this emergency. This order gives people struggling with lost income something they can count on — a roof over their heads.”
The order puts off any evictions or foreclosures, but in most circumstances renters and homeowners are required to continue making payments.
While some federally-backed mortgages are eligible for deferrals and renters in government-supported housing have been extended some protections from evictions, there has been no broad relief for either renters or mortgage holders in the federal coronavirus relief bills.
Locally, the Centre County COVID-19 Community Response (4CR) coalition has asked local governments to urge state and federal representatives to enact a moratorium on mortgage, rent and utility payments. The group also held a car rally last week in State College to call on landlords and property owners to sign a fair rent pledge promising not to evict tenants or charge late fees, to grant payment extensions upon request and to negotiate in good faith with tenants who request discounts or rent suspension until the pandemic has ended.
