Representatives Fiedler and Hill-Evans pen letter to Gov. Wolf urging extension of eviction moratorium and additional protections for Pennsylvanians

Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler July 7, 2020 | 1:37 PM

In light of the COVID-19 public health emergency, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, on Monday sent a letter signed by 43 PA House Democratic Caucus colleagues to Gov. Tom Wolf urging him to extend the state’s eviction moratorium, currently set to expire July 10.

“Anyone who has moved to a new home knows the physical, logistical and emotional toll a move can take, especially if children are in the home.” Fiedler said. “In cases where a forced move occurs due to eviction or foreclosure, trauma often compounds the financial instability that prompted the initial inability to pay.”

In their letter, the legislators emphasize that public health predictions indicate COVID-19 will continue to take a toll on families and the economy well into next year and highlight the need to plan for that scenario. “For months, we have encouraged people to stay home as much as possible. Our constituents need and deserve to have that roof over their head,” the letter states.

Fiedler and Hill-Evans expressed their appreciation for steps the governor has already taken and urged him to go further. The letter calls for extending the foreclosure and eviction moratorium until Dec. 31, offering additional financial relief for homeowners, renters and landlords, and charting a longer-term plan to ensure that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvanians are not pushed out of their homes.