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Philly Tenant Resource Guide
Overview
The Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Tenant Resource Guide contains information on housing resources, including where to go for emergency shelter, legal assistance, and rental assistance; how to prepare for an eviction hearing; and how to address housing discrimination.
Housing
Where can I go for emergency shelter?
Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm
Single Women & Families
Apple Tree Family Center 1430 Cherry St (near Cherry and 15th) 215-686-7150, 7151, 7152, or 7153
Single Men
Roosevelt Darby Center 802 N Broad St (near Broad & Fairmount) 215-685-3700
After 3pm and Weekends
For Families
The Red Shield 715 N Broad St (near Broad & Fairmount) 215-787-2887
For Single Women
House of Passage Kirkbride Center 111 N 48th St (near 48th & Haverford) 215-471-2017 or 267-713-7778
For Single Men
Station House 2601 N Broad St (near Broad & Lehigh) 215-225-9232
Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984
Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline at 866-723-3014
Where can I go for rent or security deposit assistance
Office of Homeless Services (OHS)
- 1430 Cherry Street (Center City) Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm
- Low-income tenants only. Assistance ranges from $0 – $1500
- Call 215-686-7177 to see if they have funds.
Philadelphia County Assistance Office (CAO)
- 801 Market Street Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 215-560-1976
- Very low-income tenants only. Assistance ranges from $0 – $400
What should I bring?
- Photo ID for all household members age 18 and over
- Social Security cards and Birth Certificates for all household members
- Proof of Income
- Pay stubs (for last thirty days)
- Employment letter (hrs, pay date(s), wages/salary)
- Award Letter from Social Security office
- Any other documentation of income
- Lease Agreement
- Eviction Notice and/or Court Documents
What should I get from my landlord?
- Rental License also called a Housing Inspection License
- W-9 signed by landlord
- Letter with current balance owed signed and dated by landlord
How do I get my landlord to make repairs?
Document the repair issues.
- Make a repair request in writing.
- Take Pictures.
- Get witnesses.
Bring attention to the repair
- Request an Inspection
- Licenses & Inspections. Call 311.
- PHA Section 8 Inspection. Call 215-684-3860.
- File a Fair Housing Commission Complaint.
- Call 215-686-4670 or go to 601 Walnut St, Ste 300 South
- Withhold rent. (For serious repair issues only)
- Send rent withholding letter to landlord.
- Escrow your rent. Open a bank account to deposit your rent or keep the rent in a money order.
- Repair & deduct
- Contact a repair person and ask for an estimate for the cost of repair.
- Send a letter to landlord with a copy of the estimate.
- Hire the repair person if the landlord does not complete the repairs in a reasonable amount of time. Keep the invoice and receipt.
Visit www.PhillyTenant.org for more information and sample letters.
This resource created by PEPP