City Expands Right to Counsel Initiative to Serve More Residents Living in Poverty and Facing Eviction

On December 1, 2023, the City of Philadelphia announced that another zip code has been added to the existing four zip codes currently served under the Right to Counsel (RTC) program. Since October 2023, low-income renters living in 19132 have been entitled to free legal representation through this City benefit program.

What is Right to Counsel?

Right to Counsel is a program that provides free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction. The program is administered by the Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and is available to tenants in five zip codes in Philadelphia: 19134, 19144, 19139, 19121, and 19132.

Who is eligible for Right to Counsel?

To be eligible for Right to Counsel, you must:

• Be a tenant in one of the five covered zip codes
• Have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Be facing eviction

What are the benefits of Right to Counsel?

Right to Counsel can help tenants:

• Avoid eviction
• Stay in their homes or apartments
• Get a fair hearing in court
• Understand their legal rights

How can I access Right to Counsel?

If you are a tenant in one of the covered zip codes and are facing eviction, you can access Right to Counsel by:

• Going tophillytenant.org
• Calling the Philly Tenant Hotline at (267) 443-2500

Additional Resources

• City of Philadelphia Right to Counsel website
• Reinvestment Fund EDP Study:https://eviction-diversion.phila.gov/#/
• Reinvestment Fund RTC Study:https://www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-housing/get-free-legal-help-to-avoid-eviction/
• DHCD website:phila.gov/dhcd

Please note:This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have questions about your legal rights, please consult with an attorney.

About Del Val Realty & Property Management

Mike Lautensack is the owner of Del Val Realty & Property Management, where they manage close to five thousand rental units in and around Philadelphia. If you want more information on how to evict a tenant in Philadelphia, please visit https://www.delvalproperty.com/.