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, and how they are affected by COVID-19.

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.

NEWS ABOUT HOUSING

Oct142021

Testimony in Support of the Philadelphia Neighborhood Preservation Initiative

October 14, 2021

Today, October 14, City Council unanimously passed the 2021-2022 Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Program Statement and Budget to provide significant new funding for affordable housing, first time home…

Sep12021

Green background with black text reading: How the Pandemic Response Has Failed Young People & What We Need to Thrive

Report: How the Pandemic Response Has Failed Young People & What We Need to Thrive

September 1, 2021

This report was written by Youth Justice Project inaugural Youth Action Board members, Deja Morgan, Alexi Chacon, and Madison Nardy. When the coronavirus was declared…

Aug102021

Pennsylvania va a iniciar un Fondo de Asistencia para Dueños de Propiedad (HAF) para ayudar los que han sufrido una dificultad económica a causa de la pandemia de coronavirus.

August 10, 2021

En marzo de 2021, el presidente Biden firmo como ley El Plan Estadounidense de Rescate (American Rescue Plan). El plan de rescate incluye $350 millón…

Aug62021

Pennsylvania to Launch Homeowner Assistance Fund to Help Homeowners Who Have Experienced a Financial Hardship Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic

August 6, 2021

Updated 09/02/2021 Información en Español In March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. The Rescue Plan included $350 million for…

Jun112021

Testimony in Support of Full Use of Homeowner Assistance Funds to Help Pennsylvanians in Foreclosure

June 11, 2021

Community Legal Services attorney Rachel Gallegos testified on June 10, 2021, in support of Councilmember Cherelle Parker’s resolution calling for swift state action on the…

Feb172021

COVID-19’s Impact on Race and Housing Security Across Philadelphia: Philadelphia Renters Report

February 17, 2021

Read the full report Racial and economic disparities in affordable housing existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and yet, new data from the US Census…