HOUSING

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GET HELP: HOUSING

HOARDING

If you or someone you know struggles with too much stuff, The Philadelphia Hoarding Task Force can help. We can refer you to Philadelphia area resources related to organizing, health, legal help, cleaning, and more.

HOME REPAIR

CLS provides legal advice to homeowners who have disputes with their home repair contractors or are considering borrowing money to pay for repairs.

HOMEOWNERSHIP SCAMS

CLS provides legal help to homeowners dealing with predatory “We Buy Houses” residential property wholesalers, flippers, and investors.

LICENSES AND INSPECTIONS

CLS provides limited legal advice to homeowners who have code enforcement violations from the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).

HOUSING SELF HELP INFO AT PHILLYTENANT.ORG

Information and resources from CLS and partners about your rights as a renter in Philadelphia.

MORTGAGE ISSUES

CLS provides legal advice to homeowners who have disputes with their mortgage company or are facing a mortgage foreclosure.

NEIGHBOR DISPUTES

CLS does not generally help with disputes between neighbors, because they rarely involve legal issues. However, this page contains recommendations and resources that may be helpful for those with disputes with their neighbor.

PRIVATE RENTAL HOUSING

CLS provides free legal assistance to renters facing a number of housing issues, including evictions, illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, building repair issues, and complaints taken to the Fair Housing Commission.

PROPERTY TAXES

CLS helps Philadelphia residents who are struggling with their property taxes. We can often help homeowners qualify for affordable payment agreements or other programs that will save their home from being lost at sheriff sale for unpaid property taxes.

RENT-TO-OWN

CLS helps resolve issues with rent-to-own agreements. Many people have problems with these agreements, sometimes called lease purchase or installment sales agreements, and CLS can discuss your legal options and remedies with you.

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

CLS assists low-income tenants living in public and subsidized housing, including PHA public housing, Section 8, HUD, and others.

TANGLED TITLES

CLS assists low-income tenants who own a house, but their name is not on the deed.

WILLS, ESTATE PLANNING AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

CLS provides estate planning services to clients who own their homes. Obtaining a will helps to protect your family home for future generations.

NEWS ABOUT HOUSING

Mar262025

Eviction Records Prevent Families from Finding Homes

March 26, 2025

Our homes provide the foundation for safe, healthy, and joyful lives. When families live in affordable homes, parents are more likely to find and keep…

Aug72024

Did Your Home Value Go Up? Here’s How to Make Your Property Tax Bill More Affordable

August 7, 2024

Philadelphia just released new property assessments, which are used to calculate property tax bills. If your assessed value went up, your property taxes will, too.…

Apr262024

New Report Shows Unintentional, Systemic Bias in Philadelphia Property Assessments

April 26, 2024

New Report Shows Unintentional, Systemic Bias in Philadelphia Property Assessments Today, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) announced the publication of a new report, “Examining…

Oct182023

New Report: Sealing Eviction Records for Housing Stability and Economic Prosperity

October 18, 2023

“It makes you feel defeated and hopeless. It’s like you feel stuck. You have no help and nowhere to turn to all because of something…

Aug292023

Did Your Property Taxes Go Up? Here’s How to Make Your Tax Bill More Affordable

August 29, 2023

Last year, Philadelphia released new “assessments” of property values, which are used to calculate property tax bills. If your assessed value went up, your property…

Jun132023

CLS supports HB291 to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

June 13, 2023

L to R: Rachel Labush, State Rep. Rick Krajewski, PHFA Servicing Director Kate Newton, & PHFA Counsel Steven O’Neill CLS attorney Rachel Labush testified before…