Foreclosure of Landlords Causing Eviction of Tenants

Posted in Foreclosure, October 24th, 2008 |

Despite the gloom of foreclosures overshadowing all other issues in Pittsburgh the Business Week opined that this city would show the way of overriding recession. Elaine Plunkett of the Department of Human Services commented that there has not been an increase in the number of homeless folks seeking shelter. But that does not mean Pittsburgh is in the pink of health. Foreclosure of landlords is causing eviction of quite a few numbers of tenants.

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh has noted that a new batch of people is paying the price for foreclosures due to no fault of theirs. They are the tenants whose landlords are being foreclosed upon. Pennsylvania has complicated laws regarding the rights of those tenants whose landlords are undergoing foreclosure.

Neighbourhood Legal Services Association represents the poor tenants. Eileen Yacknin, a spokesperson for the group said as yet they have not had to face a landlord-foreclosure legal suit. She added, “There is nothing clear in Pennsylvania law” about whether, the tenant can continue to remain in the foreclosed building. However Section 8 grants greater protection to the tenants.

In comparison to the rest of the country the foreclosure situation here is hopeful. According to the Pittsburgh Business Times foreclosure numbers decreased for the second running month in August. It seems that it will be lower than the figures of the previous year. Allegheny County is fashioning a scheme to protect foreclosure victims from the blow for 90 days.

Despite figures and numbers those who are facing the ground reality for providing shelter for the homeless the approaching winter sends out chilly feelings. On 17th October some of the workers held a demonstration in front of the County Building in the city to focus on lack of funds and amenities for Community Human Services. The latter runs many housing and outreach plans in the localities. The social workers were joined by elected leaders and interested citizens from 6.30 pm till the next morning.

Mac McMahon is the director of Homeless Assistance for CHS. He gave out a dire warning that many people know that they are “only an inch away from being homeless.”

This foreclosure crisis is basically different from previous ones in so much that the value of the property has become worthless. People being evicted or choosing to walk away initially stay in a motel or with friends trying to believe in miracles. Finally they have no other alternative but to head for the shelters.