Lead Law Update (FAQ Series): Rental Assistance: Is there another phase of the Philadelphia/Federal Rental Assistance Program? Did any new rental assistance programs get announced?
We are regularly receiving questions regarding the new Lead Law (and status of assistance programs for landlords/tenants) and have created a weekly “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ’s) forum for you as you desire to become more informed of the Lead Law and its complexity (and in this case rental assistance).
Question: Is there another phase of the Philadelphia/Federal Rental Assistance Program? Did any new rental assistance programs get announced?
Answer: Yes! There is a Phase 3 rental assistance as summarized below (and suggest you send this information to your tenants)
The City of Philadelphia’s Phase 3 rental assistance program is only for tenants who already applied to Phase 1 or Phase 2 and could not receive assistance. Not all tenants who applied for Phase 1 or 2 are eligible for Phase 3.
In Phase 3, payments go directly to the tenant. Tenants who are eligible for Phase 3 will receive an email notification with a link to submit additional information. Tenants may receive up to $1,500 per month, for up to six (6) months—not to exceed the amount of base rent due for any month where the tenant is receiving assistance.
To be eligible for Phase 3, tenants must meet the following:
Have applied for Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 of the City of Philadelphia’s rental assistance program and were not able to receive assistance under that prior program.
Suffered a loss of income after March 1, 2020 as a result of COVID-19 (Note: tenants on a fixed income generally do not qualify);
Expect to earn no more than $99,000 in annual income for Calendar Year 2020 (or no more than $198,000 if filing a joint tax return);
Rented a house or apartment in Philadelphia between March and December of 2020 and missed rent or had difficulty paying rent due to loss of income as a result of COVID-19, between March and December 2020;
Have a bank account or a payment app that accepts direct deposits, or a prepaid debit card which accepts direct deposits;
Attest that they will only use the assistance for expenses incurred between March and December 2020 to pay for rent to avoid eviction and to pay other unforeseen emergency financial hardship costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Be willing to sign an affidavit attesting that the circumstances listed above are true and correct.
Tenants Can Check Status of Phase 3: Tenants who submitted information for Phase 3 can check the status of their application here.
We have not yet heard the details of any new rental assistance programs but will send out a notice once information is available.
Sincerely,
Adam K, Certified Lead Inspector
Lead Testing Services, LLC
