Krajewski: Tenant Right to Counsel is a historic win for Pennsylvania families
Rep. Rick Krajewski July 12, 2024 | 11:53 AM
HARRISBURG, July 12 – Following passage of the state budget Thursday, state Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., said he is encouraged by the $2.5 million allocation in the budget to start a statewide Right to Council Program in Pennsylvania.
“Every day, in every county in our commonwealth, low-income tenants are evicted from their homes simply because they can’t afford legal representation. Those evictions create immense trauma and financial hardship for thousands of families that was entirely preventable,” Krajewski said. “Seeing the success of Philadelphia’s own Right to Counsel Program, we approved $2.5 million in this year’s budget toward a statewide program that will provide free legal representation to low-income tenants.”
In his February budget address, Gov. Josh Shapiro called for the expansion of Philadelphia’s Right to Counsel Program. Soon after, Krajewski and fellow state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Elizabeth Fiedler introduced corresponding legislation.
“Right to Counsel Programs already exists in 17 cities, four states and one county. Everywhere it has been implemented, it keeps families in their homes while saving tax dollars for our communities,” Krajewski said.
“This is a historic moment in the fight for housing rights in Pennsylvania,” he said. “However, this is just a first step. I look forward to expanding funding for the Right to Counsel Program in future years to support every family in need.”