Testimony in Support of City Bill Increasing the Wage Tax Refund to Low-Income Workers

CLS attorney Montgomery Wilson, Esq, submitted testimony to the City Committee on Finance on November 13, 2019 in support of Bill # 190746 introduced by Councilman Allan Domb, Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.  The Bill seeks to increase the amount of the local wage tax refund available for low-income workers.  Under the bill,…

Right to Counsel Passes Philadelphia City Council!

Right to Counsel passed unanimously in Philadelphia City Council on November 14! This bill guarantees low income tenants an attorney in eviction cases and is a critical step towards stabilizing communities, stemming the effects of gentrification, and addressing systemic racism & housing discrimination in Philadelphia. Read more about this legislation here and here. Read CLS…

Clean Slate Will Help Prevent Homelessness in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, homelessness is getting worse On any given day, 15,000 Pennsylvanians experience homelessness. Rates of homelessness in Pennsylvania have increased, especially among veterans, families, and young people. The number of young Pennsylvanians who do not have shelter has increased by a third. Criminal records contribute to homelessness Approximately 4 out of 5 landlords conduct…

Report: Danger of the Opt-Out: Strategies for Preserving Section 8 Project-Based Housing in Philadelphia

Community Legal Services calls for action to preserve affordable housing for low-income tenants. PHILADELPHIA – A report detailing affordable housing at risk of being lost due to owner opt-out was released by the Justice Lab clinic at the Stephen and Sandra Sheller Center for Social Justice at Temple University Beasley School of Law and Community Legal Services…

The Eviction Process in Philadelphia County

Date Posted:  05/14/2013 For information and resources for tenants, please visit www.phillytenant.org. Your landlord has to go to court to evict you.  Here is the process: Step 1: Eviction Notice You may receive an eviction notice (also called a Lease Termination Notice or Notice to Quit) telling you when your landlord wants you to move out.…

Security Deposits in Pennsylvania

Residential security deposits in Pennsylvania are regulated by the Landlord-Tenant Act (68 P.S. §250.511 and §250.512). A security deposit is not the same as rent. It is money that actually belongs to the tenant, but is held by the landlord for tenant-caused damages and sometimes past-due rent. Without the agreement of the landlord, a security…