The Landlord Watchlist Project (LWP) is committed to serving all Pennsylvania tenants facing eviction and other predatory landlord actions. We collect information on all landlords renting in PA, whether they are out-of-state corporate property management companies or notorious local slumlords. Our goal is to publicize any information collected through form submissions and extensive interviews, that may inform the decisions of current and future renters.

We understand that Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQ+  households, and the disabled community are most affected by the housing and eviction crisis, which has only been expedited by a failed and discriminatory pandemic response. In our fight for housing justice we understand the intersections of poverty, racism, and the environment and the implications they have for housing policy and access. We are committed to only working with and providing resources from organizations and affiliates who advocate on behalf of all tenants and practice anti-racism, anti-xenophobia, anti-ableism, and anti-transphobia in their work. 

All tenants in need of resources can access our growing list of PA-specific tenant resources. We encourage tenants to fill out our form (en español) or contact us to receive more personalized resources.

443,205 extremely low-income renter households

The maximum income for a 4-person extremely low income household in Pennsylvania is $25,100. Of these extremely cost-burdened households, meaning households spend more than half their income on housing, 30% are in the labor force, 30% are seniors, 22% are disabled, 6% are in school, 3% are single caregivers, and 9% were identified as others (NLIHC). 

Black tenants

Black renters face the highest eviction rates. In a recent Eviction Lab study of eviction cases filed between 2012 and 2016 in 39 states, Black tenants made up 19.9% of all adult renters and 32.7% of all eviction filing defendants. The average rate of eviction filing for Black renters is 6.2%, and the average eviction judgement was 3.4%. Compare this to an eviction filing rate of 3.4% and eviction judgement rate of 2% for white renters (Eviction Lab).

Black and Latinx women

Women are at a disproportionate risk of eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic (Eviction Lab). There has been a significant increase in cases of landlords sexually harassing tenants, specifically female tenants. Tenants and landlords have an uneven power dynamic that leads to landlords intimidating renters (Insider)

Children

1 in 4 renter families with children are behind on rent (Census). Eviction creates instability for families, leading to increased physical and mental illness, difficulty renting housing, applying for credit, and obtaining employment. At a time when many students must attend school from home, eviction is especially damaging to the educational and social development of children.

Seniors and the disability community

When facing eviction, seniors and the disability community are at greater risk of requiring hospitalization or dying if diagnosed with COVID-19.

LGBTQ+ tenants

The LGBTQ+ community is vulnerable to eviction and housing discrimination. There is no state law against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing or public accommodations.

Undocumented tenants

Undocumented immigrants face increased harassment from landlords and may be targeted by ICE at courthouses. Cases of undocumented immigrants “self-evicting” out of fear of retribution by landlords have been reported (Texas Tribune).