Philadelphia could see an advisory board created to consider new rules and procedures for tenant evictions, if a House bill that passed Wednesday reaches the governor’s desk.
By a 102-99 vote along party lines, the House approved a bill introduced by State Rep. Rick Krajewski to reform eviction procedures.
The Philadelphia Democrat introduced the bill in October, following multiple shootings involving agents employed by the Landlord and Tenant Office, or LTO for short, in 2023, wounding two evicted tenants and killing a dog.
Many have called for oversight of the office, an entity created by state law that is part of the judicial branch in Philadelphia.
Since Philadelphia is the only county that does not have the sheriff’s office handle eviction of apartment tenants, the bill would create a training program for agents and an Eviction Agent Advisory Board.
That board would include members or designees from the courts, City Council, mayor, city controller and real estate stakeholders. The board would create policies, including an approval process for agents, conduct oversight, and collect information on their actions. Meetings and public posting of information would happen quarterly.
Krajewski spoke to The Philadelphia Tribune and said his bill is a catalyst for reform around the LTO.
The evictions may be performed by the sheriff’s office, which handles foreclosure evictions, or the LTO.
Krajewski said he wants more accountability, like dates and times for evictions being published and handed to affected tenants, along with mental health professionals to provide resources and assistance for people going through the traumatic process.
“My hope is that we can continue to raise awareness about reform in the city,” he said. “It’s going to build energy in the city, both for the bill, but also for the City Council’s work on LTO and eviction reform.”
As the chair of the Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, Third District Councilmember Jamie Gauthier would appoint a designee to the advisory board or serve on it herself.
Gauthier’s committee will consider legislation introduced by At-Large Councilmember Kendra Brooks to create licensing for eviction agents in Philadelphia.
When asked about what she will prioritize if the board is seated, Gauthier said, “That this is a safer process, governed by government, and people are treated with compassion in the event that evictions have to occur, and that there’s transparency in this process, and that the people serving in this role have the training to deal with folks who are probably going through a very harrowing moment.”
Much of the scrutiny since the shootings last year has fallen on the LTO, which has not responded to interview requests, while Marisa Shuter, who serves as the officer, has yet to make any public comments.
Krajewski is willing to work with the office and the eviction agents who currently have no oversight or accountability to any other government entities in Philadelphia.
After Sheriff Rochelle Bilal made a presentation to take over the duties to the House Housing and Community Development Committee last year, asking for $45 million in additional funding to take over the work, some changes to the bill during the process gave her office a share of the responsibility, not a monopoly.
“Our office believes this is a good first step into eviction reform. Partnering with his office allowed us to give input that will be implemented for additional training and overall safety and security for our communities,” Teresa M. Lundy said in an email statement on behalf of the sheriff’s office.
A representative from the Justice 4 Angel Davis Now Campaign said the group still demands the permanent end of the for-profit LTO eviction system.
“We have read PA House Bill 287 and while we have some questions, we eagerly look forward to working with all elected officials and other housing justice and tenants’ rights organizations to permanently end the LTO. If housing is indeed a human right, then a potentially deadly eviction should never be an option,” said Asantewaa Nkrumah-Ture in a statement.
Despite the party-line vote, Krajewski said he has confidence in the bill’s future in the Republican-controlled Senate.
“I’m really excited that we were able to get it out of the House,” he said. “I think there are some really important parts of the bill that we’re looking to continue to move forward.”
