How Philadelphia Prevented Mass Evictions

Philadelphia’s Eviction Diversion Program (EDP), which assists tenants at risk of eviction, could prove to be a successful model for other cities, writes Jessica Blatt in an article for the Philadelphia Citizen, republished in Next City.

By steering tenants away from eviction proceedings — a process in which less than 10 percent of tenants, compared with more than 80 percent of landlords, have historically had legal representation — Philadelphia’s program allows renters to avoid significant damage to their credit and their ability to secure desirable housing in the future.

The EDP began as part of the city’s effort to address the 17 recommendations provided in the 2018 Taskforce on Eviction Prevention and Response report, which included legally requiring landlords to enter mediation before filing an eviction. The program gained steam during the pandemic, when officials worried “the backlog of eviction cases would turn into an avalanche of people losing their homes.”

The program has had “a significant impact” on evictions in the city, with 85 percent of potential eviction cases now avoiding court proceedings and wait times for hearings reduced by two thirds. See the source article for more details on the program.