State Rep. Jared Solomon on Thursday hosted a new conference outside his office, 7012 Castor Ave., to celebrate a landlord/tenant partnership between the Homeowners Association of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network.
Signing the two-page document were Greg Wertman, president of the Homeowners Association, and Rachel Falkove, executive director of PIHN.
The partnership, billed as the first of its kind, is designed to prevent evictions. PIHN will work to inform landlords so they can recognize signs of struggling tenants and assist them in finding housing.
Homeowners Association landlords will refer current tenants who have been unable to keep up with rent to PIHN. The eviction process will start two weeks later unless tenants complete a financial assessment and put together a financial plan with assistance from PIHN. Once tenants complete their work with PIHN, landlords will be paid directly for back rent (up to $1,000 for an individual, $2,000 for a family).
Landlords will notify PIHN when they have a vacancy, and PIHN will refer potential new tenants. PIHN will assist selected referrals with security deposits. PIHN will also provide ongoing case management and support over the course of a year.
Both sides will meet every four months to evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership.
Solomon reviewed the websites of both groups.
“It doesn’t sound like these groups are too far apart,” he said.
All it took, Solomon said, is a conversation.
“Good things can happen,” he said.
Local landlord Jim Sims said he is pleased with the agreement, the first he’s aware of in 30 years in the business. ••
