Homelessness
Billy Penn
Why Philly shut down its homeless COVID hotels, and why advocates are furious
A private prison company runs one of the temporary sites where residents are being relocated.
5 years ago
Wilmington Code Purple shelter shifts to winter-long hotel stay
Instead of a temporary shelter only opened on super cold nights, Friendship House plans to move those experiencing homelessness into a former hotel all winter long.
5 years ago
Billy Penn
Anyone who hasn’t found a place to live after Dec. 15 will be offered temporary shelter, say officials, who’ve successfully placed 50 people so far.
5 years ago
Billy Penn
Anyone who hasn’t found a place to live after Dec. 15 will be offered temporary shelter, say officials, who’ve successfully placed 50 people so far.
5 years ago
City Council extends eviction diversion program
The amendment, from Councilmember Helen Gym, extends the requirement through March 31, 2021.
5 years ago
NPR
Unemployment claims jump just before critical aid programs are set to expire
Jobless claims rose sharply last week as critical relief programs, including expanded jobless benefits, are due to expire the day after Christmas.
5 years ago
In anticipation, housing support groups are scrambling to set up new systems, including ways for people to stay safe outside in freezing conditions.
5 years ago
Listen 4:32
Kensington residents to speak out about journalist voyeurs in their neighborhood
The Philadelphia neighborhood has been in the national media as the epicenter of the opioid crisis. An online forum will let residents sound off about how their story is told.
5 years ago
Listen 2:07
NPR
‘These are deaths that could have been prevented,’ says researcher studying evictions
A federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire on Dec. 31. Kathryn Leifheit of UCLA says new data suggest evictions are linked to increases in COVID cases and deaths.
5 years ago
NPR
More Americans pay rent on credit cards as lawmakers fail to pass relief bill
With their savings running out, many Americans are being forced to use credit cards to pay for bills they can't afford — even their rent.
5 years ago
Philly Council committee votes to extend landlord-tenant mediation mandate
Some landlords oppose the measure. An attorney for the Homeowner’s Association of Philadelphia said mediation should be an option, not a requirement.
5 years ago
Broke in Philly
‘It’s a conversation’: Philly’s alternative to landlord-tenant court is preventing eviction
The latest figures show that tenants and landlords who go through Philadelphia’s Eviction Diversion program reach an agreement in more than 86% of cases.
5 years ago
Billy Penn
Philly to open second quarantine hotel for vulnerable COVID patients as cases surge
The 30 beds at the first site sometimes fill up, officials said, with people from shelters or those experiencing homelessness.
5 years ago
‘Swamp Hotel’ bought by New Castle County for $19.5M to serve homeless people
The remote hotel near wetlands off I-95 south of Wilmington led to struggles attracting guests. The county snapped it up at auction using federal coronavirus relief money.
5 years ago
Listen 2:32
Philadelphia courts pauses most evictions until end of the year
Landlord groups say the hold on evictions is tantamount to stealing from property owners.
5 years ago