The housing crisis impacts everyone. Read this opinion piece that pushes back on arguments against a social support net to make the case that we all deserve safe and stable homes.

With government crackdowns accelerating, immigrants are too afraid to exercise their rights as tenants. We must continue to support low-income tenants, regardless of their immigration status.

Here is another article on the pilot program in Philadelphia. We're excited because of the profound impact this has had on housing stability! "After two years in the program, the data shows participants were far less likely to face eviction or experience homelessness."

Philadelphia ran a program that gave money directly to tenants instead of in the form of vouchers. Two years later, housing security had improved dramatically. Read about it here:

buff.ly/MnVbTOp "The initiative, titled “Health Justice for Hunting Park: Healthier Homes,” will provide a total of $50K for nonprofits —501(c)(3)/fiscally sponsored— based in the neighborhoods of Hunting Park, Feltonville, and Juniata (ZIP codes 19122, 19124, 19133 south to Lehigh Ave., and 19140)"

You can move your way out of unaffordable housing; there is simply so little to be had! Shout out to the Housing Alliance for their important work on home prices in PA.

RHLS and the Community Justice Project have been working with legislators and homeowners to enact a bill that will curb enormous lot rent increases. Read their story:

“They basically have a question before them: Are they going to protect the rights of out-of-state private equity firms?” he said. “Or are they going to protect the residents of manufactured homes?”

Check out this article about a new tool that tenants facing problems with their landlords can use to generate demand letters. This tool also collects anonymous data to track housing issues, allowing advocates to target problem areas.

Opinion: Can Philadelphia end homelessness? A look at the city's progress: buff.ly/xW1OgB2

"City law must catch up with reality. A person who is unhoused before incarceration is no less vulnerable after release. But our current policy treats time in jail as if it erases their homelessness. It doesn’t—it makes it worse."

Opinion: "It's time to rewrite the script on public housing. Far from being a sinkhole of money, they are an opportunity for low-income Americans, particularly focusing on those with disabilities, to live with dignity. We have done it before, we can do it again."

Check out what we've been up to! Read the RHLS Spring & Summer 2025 Newsletter!

You know housing costs are too high when even the Taliban are taking action on steep rent increases in Kabul.

No, you're not imagining it, fewer and fewer apartments rent for less than $1000 per month.

Politicians across Pennsylvania agree that zoning reform and regulatory changes would bring more desperately-needed affordable housing. So why isn't it getting done?

Check out what we've been up to! Read the RHLS Spring & Summer 2025 Newsletter -

To register, click on this link: buff.ly/ojVuo3O

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence" - Martin Luther King Jr.

A follow up on that meteor strike:

This story from Maine demonstrates the importance of strengthening tenant protections, especially during eviction proceedings.

Check out what we've been up to! Read the RHLS Spring & Summer 2025 Newsletter -

Advocates from Utah, concerned about the rising costs of rents coupled with cuts to housing assistance programs, clamor for more affordable housing development. The time to act, and to build, is now!

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission responds to the recent decision by HUD to offer materials in English only. We hope that you will read and share this statement.

The housing crisis has many reasons, but key among them is the lack of housing, any housing, not just affordable housing. Research from Pew shows that even market-rate development slows price increases for all rents, and new development keeps low rents down the most. Read more:

More people are backing out of home sale agreements. The common wisdom is that it is a buyer's market, but it may also be influenced by the continued high price of housing and high-interest rates. buff.ly/2U2oqjB

"New Jersey’s temperatures are rising at a faster rate than many other states. The state is offering grants to communities to prepare for climate change–related heat waves." buff.ly/XTB4Slh

Bad actors are weaponing the impact that ICE is having on the Latino community in California, implying that US citizens will be deported or targeted in blatant attempts to illegally evict them from desirable markets.

"...In recent years, the state has amped up both the carrot and the stick, passing laws to encourage development and to enforce its mandate. Towns and counties now have to pick a handful of ways to create denser, cheaper housing and report on their progress every year."

"Advocates for good cause eviction protections often face a particular counterargument from landlords: that these tenant protections cause a slowdown in new construction. New research indicates that they don’t."

"Affordable housing options are already limited, and these cuts could severely limit access to homes they can afford." buff.ly/2zxy5Zu

RHLS client City of Bridges Community Land Trust in Pittsburgh just partnered with Module to bring affordable homes to Etna. Check out this story of their growth in Western PA.

The research is clear, lack of access to stable housing creates a level of stress so high that it is a public health crisis, and one which disproportionately impacts Black women and children in the US. Read more:

Keep an eye on West Philadelphia, where a long time affordable housing developer is selling his entire portfolio.

California is facing a large housing crisis, and investor ownership only exacerbates it.

A ribbon cutting is always a happy celebration, RHLS is with Rural Housing Works in Union County to inaugurate these new homes for seniors! buff.ly/YOvi5KZ

There is little for housing advocates to celebrate in this tax bill that is only the latest assault on the poor in the US. Read more from Next City:

HUD has signaled a retreat on the enforcement of fair housing laws, leaving the states to their own devices . This is an unprecedented departure, but not an unexpected one.

"The main challenge for housing champions is to make strong messaging that is easy to grasp, while not oversimplifying the many factors going into why so many people struggle to get and stay in decent housing and what can fix it." buff.ly/lW3TEQk

Something to watch: Mexico City hopes to tackle rising rents with rent control. Will it work?

We wish Cindy all the best as she retires from a career devoted to service and advocacy.

Register today! buff.ly/ZKfkklk

We strongly condemn the Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration that aims to criminalize people experiencing homelessness and mental illness. The solution to homelessness is affordable housing.

"This isn’t about relative “bad actors.” It is about systemic failings forcing people into dire situations."

Your Way Home in Montgomery Co has received a PHARE grant to continue its vital work combatting homelessness. Congratulations! buff.ly/QoaoC8K

Things have been so busy, have you heard about our new CFO? We're so excited to introduce Sadé!

What do you know about tenant rights in a tax credit property? Watch this presentation and download our guide. Tenant manual video: buff.ly/dqjSvCn

Black communities have been excluded or treated unfairly by urban planning projects. Transit advocates hope to address these inequities. Read this opinion piece with an embedded special report: