PHILLY CAN’T AFFORD A $400 RENT INCREASE-- CAN YOU?

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown has introduced a bill that would force every rental unit in the city built before 1978 to become certified as “lead free” or “lead safe” in the name of protecting young children from lead poisoning – regardless of whether any children are living there. 

However, Philadelphia already has a law on the books regulating lead paint in rental units where children live – it just hasn’t been adequately enforced. If the City would communicate with renters and landlords about current law and pay to enforce it, we would see the number of children testing positive for lead continue to decline. 
 
The new legislation doesn’t provide any funding for inspection or remediation, which means in many cases, renters will be forced to share the high costs of lead paint testing and removal through higher rents. A study by the Anderson Group shows that rents could be raised up to $400 a month.
 
In short, at a time when the city already faces a shortage of affordable housing options, this legislation will create far more problems than it solves. 

Bill 180936 could be voted on as soon as next month, and we need your help. Please reach out to your legislator, Cherelle Parker, who is currently undecided in her vote, to ask that she vote against Bill 180936 and enforce the law already in effect – because Philly renters can’t afford a $400 rent hike.