House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Across the state, many families have been experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We should be working to implement programs and policies that provide financial relief. Families are still struggling and working to get back on their feet.  Now is not that time to prey on Pennnsylvanians experiencing financial hardship. 
 
In a first class city, such as my home of Philadelphia, the Sheriff’s Office will resume sales of real estate as early as the beginning of April. This move comes a year after halting auctions only due to a mandated order of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. While a year has passed, families are still in need of help and assistance - with the main priority being keeping them in their homes and in possession of their assets. The decision to resume Sheriff’s sales during this time is distasteful and graceless. 
 
The CDC recently extended the eviction moratorium to June 30, 2021 - noting the historic threat that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to individuals overall well-being. So, why should families have their property taken? We should be providing assistance to help stop foreclosure on their property and homes, not displacing our neighbors during a pandemic. 
 
Constituents have called on me and my colleagues to take action to save their homes from being auctioned off, with hundreds slated to be within the next few weeks. We cannot stand by and allow our neighbors to lose their homes due to financial hardship by no fault of their own. My legislation will halt all Sheriff sale auctions until after the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration has been lifted. We must protect our families and neighbors from this predatory act. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation and help save our neighbor's homes.