Philly Renter’s Guide 2025
Free renters’ rights workshops, eviction help and rental assistance
The purpose of this free resource guide is to help Philadelphia renters free and up-to-date housing resources. Renters should know their rights and how to advocate for themselves.
FREE TENANT RIGHTS AND EVICTION DEFENSE CLINICS
Agency: Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN)
TURN hosts workshops in-person and via Zoom everyday explaining a variety of landlord-tenant issues. Each session is an hour and you must register in advance. At the end of each webinar, they offer a question and answer session with an experienced attorney and/or housing counselor.
Click here or call (267) 635–4130 to register for workshops. Please note in-person Renter’s Rights workshops are only Tuesday-Thursday 10:30pm, 12:30pm or 3:30pm.
The Eviction Defense Clinic is held every Tuesday at 6pm. Click here or call 267–635–4130
Please note that these sessions are designed educate tenants on issues regarding rental properties in the City of Philadelphia only. The webinar is for information only and will not provide legal representation or advice.
Right to Counsel — The Right to Counsel Program has expanded
Philly Tenant Hotline — Right To Counsel
Tenants in zip codes 19121, 19124, 19132, 19134, 19139, 19141, 19144, and 19154 who make less than 200% of the federal poverty level are currently eligible for free representation in eviction cases through a program called Right to Counsel. Free legal help can be accessed by calling the Philly Tenant Hotline at (267) 443–2500.
If you have an upcoming court date, you may receive a flyer or phone call from a representative to connect you with the Philly Tenant Hotline for possible free legal representation in court. But do not wait for a call, it is best to call the hotline at 267–443–2500 as soon as you have a court date.
Eviction Diversion Program
Please note that the landlord must initiate the process and they cannot file for eviction with going through the Eviction Diversion Process.
Tenants have to call Eviction Diversion Program Tenant Hotline at 215–523–9501 to find out your next steps.
If you’re being evicted — Click here for free or low-cost legal help from Legal Aid, Legal Clinic For The Disabled (LCD), etc.
- City’s Eviction Diversion Program link and a video of how to prepare for court
- How to Prepare for Landlord-Tenant Court if You are Facing Eviction
Affordable Housing For People With Disabilities
The Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) established the Housing and Disability Technical Assistance Program (TAP), in December of 1999. TAP provides information on accessible housing, fair housing laws and regulations, and financial and technical resources related to housing for people with disabilities in the City of Philadelphia. Full list found here
MAJOR RENTAL REPAIR ISSUES
- DON’T PANIC — YOU’RE NOT ALONE! THERE’S HELP & HOPE
- REPORT ALL REPAIRS TO THE LANDLORD BY EMAIL OR WEBSITE
- TAKE PICTURES & WRITE DOWN THE REPAIR TICKET NUMBER, DATES — If you reported the repairs and they haven’t been fixed after a reasonable time
- Call 311 or submit an online complaint to licensing and inspections
- KNOW YOUR RIGHTS- ATTEND A FREE TURN RENTER’S RIGHTS WORKSHOP: Call the TURN to register (267) 635–4130 or register online
Housing modifications (for homeowners only)
Emergency Housing Resources
For Single Parents
Appletree Family Center
Intake: Mon-Fri: 7 am-5 pm
1430 Cherry Street
215–686–7150, 7151, or 7153
Roosevelt Darby Center Intake: Mon-Fri: 7 am-5 pm
804 N. Broad Street
215–685–3702
Achievability
5901 Market St. Suite 410
Philadelphia, PA 19139 Phone: 215–748–8800
Email: info@achieveability.org
Rental Assistance
From the City of Philadelphia’s website
Please note that most of these programs have income limits. Please call or click on the link for more information.
Appletree Family Center
They have funding — but it’s income base
Help for individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless or facing a housing crisis (215) 686–7177
Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM)
Financial and support services for individuals and families(215) 235–6070
Catholic Social Services
Limited financial assistance toward rent (267) 331–2490
Congreso de Latinos Unidos Financial and support services for individuals and families (215) 763–8870
Esperanza Financial and support services for individuals and families(215) 324–0746
Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry
Utility, rent, and mortgage assistance in ZIP codes 19118, 19119, 19126, 19138, 19144, and 19150(215) 843–2340
HACE
Utility subsidies and rental assistance (215) 426–8025
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS PA)
Legal and supportive services for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers(215) 832–0900
HELP USA
Financial and support services for individuals and families(215) 473–6454
Nationalities Service Center
Rental assistance(215) 893–8400
New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)
Financial and support services for individuals and families(215) 427–0350
HopePHL
(formerly People’s Emergency Center)Financial and support services for individuals and families(267) 720-
HOPE Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF)
Help for families with back rent so they can remain in their homes
(215) 972–5170 (215) 814–6888 (Veterans)
Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center
Housing, benefits, and meals for veterans(215) 923–2600
Renters Rights
Tenant Bill of Rights (TURN)
Renter’s Rights Article from Philly Curbed
If you have Section 8 — Call Housing Choice — Owner Liaison
Ms. Sharon Robinson
Sharon.Robinson@pha.phila.gov
(215) 684–3875
Want to Buy a House
Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania
Phone number: 215–765–1221
Other Community Resources
Free Philly Food Resources
Archived from January 2023
Did you know there was a show that focused on renter’s rights with an attorney who fights for Philly tenants’ rights every day?
Check Out: The Talk To Reebs Show’s Renter’s Rights Series
With Host E. Marie Lambert
Featuring: Attorney Riquan King & Alice the Housing Advocate on
Uptown Radio 98.5 Instagram and Facebook
Just click on one of the links to watch or listen to recorded shows
WHAT IF YOUR PROPERTY DOESN’T HAVE HEAT?
Check out Broke In Philly’s Heat Tweet — Thank you for the shout-out
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s winter renter’s article:
From Oct. 1 to April 30, landlords must ensure that heating in a rental unit is capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68 degrees, according to Philadelphia’s property maintenance code. This also applies to May and September if temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Philadelphia Inquirer
More Winter Resources:
Broke in Philly Article, PhillyTenant.org, and City’s Stay Warm PHL
LIHEAP — Heating Grant — PGW — Philadelphia Gas Works
Other Community Resources
Free Philly Food Resources
Written by ALICE, The Housing Advocate for GFC Mag for questions or suggestions or other resources, please leave a comment. For corrections, please leave a private note by highlighting a word and click the lock icon.
FOR THE LATEST RESOURCES PLEASE CHECK HERE
Sources:
Income Guidelines
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/data-reports/federal-poverty-income-guidelines.html
© GFC Mag, 2023 All Rights Reserved
