York County, located in Pennsylvania, has seen a significant increase in its eviction rate due to rising housing costs and limited availability. A recent study conducted by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and PolicyLink revealed that York County has the second-highest eviction rate in the state. This alarming statistic reflects the challenges faced by many families in finding and affording suitable housing.
Ruth Robbins, the chief program officer with York’s Community Progress Council, expressed her surprise at the high eviction rate despite the organization’s efforts to provide housing assistance. She emphasized that the root cause of this problem is the lack of affordable housing options. As housing prices continue to rise, and availability dwindles, more families are struggling to keep up with the financial burden.
The study revealed that in 2022, York County had an eviction rate of 16.4 percent, just below Dauphin County’s 16.6 percent. Compared to other counties in Pennsylvania, these rates are significantly higher. For example, Lehigh County had an eviction rate of 13.8 percent, while Allegheny County and Philadelphia had rates of 5.8 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.
The impact of this crisis is evident from the staggering number of families evicted in York County in 2022: 6,945 families lost their homes. Although Philadelphia has a much larger population than York County, only 12,508 families faced eviction in the same year.
The study also highlighted the imbalance between wage growth and rent increases. While wages have been increasing, rents have risen even more rapidly. In York County, rents have experienced a 16 percent increase since the start of the pandemic. As a result, 47 percent of renters in Pennsylvania are spending more than 30 percent of their monthly income on housing costs, according to the National Equity Atlas. This financial strain not only affects a family’s day-to-day budget but also puts their housing security at risk.
Ironically, rising wages can have unintended consequences for families living paycheck to paycheck. For instance, if a person’s income surpasses the eligibility threshold for government assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), they may lose their benefits or see a reduction in support. This can create a precarious situation where even a small increase in income can lead to financial instability and difficulty in paying rent.
Holly Beck, a division supervising attorney with the legal service’s housing unit, highlighted the alarming trend of rising eviction rates in suburban and rural areas. The crisis of affordable housing is not limited to urban centers but is pervasive across Pennsylvania and the country. During the pandemic, temporary moratoriums on evictions and federal rental assistance provided some relief. However, as these measures have expired, eviction rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels or even exceeded them.
To address this issue, Community Legal Services and PolicyLink are advocating for a clean slate law that would allow individuals who have experienced eviction to have their records expunged from legal and credit history. Currently, even cases filed a decade ago remain publicly viewable, making it difficult for individuals to secure housing in the future.
The causes of rising eviction rates are multifaceted and complex. Many people are living paycheck to paycheck, making it challenging to cover unexpected expenses such as health emergencies or car repairs. Other contributing factors include a lack of educational and employment opportunities, high childcare costs, and limited transportation options.
Emergency rental assistance provided during the pandemic has been crucial in supporting struggling families. However, these programs are winding down, with funds set to run out at the end of October. This impending decrease in financial aid raises concerns about the future availability of resources and the potential challenges that individuals and families will face in securing housing.
In conclusion, York County’s high eviction rate is a reflection of the rising housing costs and limited availability of affordable housing. Families are struggling to keep up with rent increases, which outpace wage growth. The impact of this crisis is significant, with thousands of families losing their homes. The causes are complex, but efforts are underway to advocate for policy changes that would support individuals with eviction records and address the underlying issues contributing to this problem. As emergency rental assistance programs wind down, the future remains uncertain for many families in need of housing support.
