Judge Patrick Dugan’s order does not prevent landlords from filing new eviction notices, but it does mean that tenants will not immediately be locked out of their homes
A Philadelphia judge has extended a ban on evictions in the city through Oct. 7, which housing advocates say is, at least temporarily, shielding potentially thousands from getting kicked out of their homes.
Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan ordered that all residential evictions cease in the city through the October date, extending his prior order, which was set to expire Sept. 23, and giving another temporary reprieve to renters.
The halt comes as the city grapples with a potential wave of evictions brought on by job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know that there are thousands of Philadelphians who are behind on their rent, which is why most evictions are filed, so without these protections I think we could see a number of evictions that we’ve never seen before,” said Vik Patel, an attorney for Community Legal Services, which offers legal aid to low-income residents.
Earlier this month, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also ordered that evictions stop through Dec. 31 of this year, saying that booting people from their homes could cause the virus to spread if people are forced to move into close quarters with others. Renters wanting to take advantage of the CDC’s moratorium, however, must fill out a form and present it to their landlord.
Judge Dugan’s order does not prevent landlords from filing new eviction notices, but it does mean that tenants will not immediately be locked out of their homes, Patel said. In addition, landlord-tenant officers are required to notify tenants about the CDC’s eviction moratorium, as well, he said.