Pittsburgh working to iron out eviction ban enforcement as challenge proceeds

A moratorium on evictions in Pittsburgh during the coronavirus pandemic went into effect Friday as a group representing landlords in the region sued the city, alleging local officials aren’t allowed to enact the ban under state law.

City officials are moving forward with enforcing the ordinance, according to Councilwoman Deb Gross, who spearheaded the legislation.

“It’s actually been a really busy week,” Gross said Tuesday.

She and other officials have met with local tenant groups and the city’s Commission on Human Relations to work on a plan to implement the moratorium.

Landlords face a fine of up to $10,000 for violating the law, which bans evictions except for “good cause” — defined in this case as nonpayment of rent and utilities unless the reason is tied to the covid-19 pandemic or medical expenses.

Evictions can proceed if the landlord can prove “conduct that presents an imminent threat to the health or safety of other residents,” criminal activity or building code and health ordinance violations.

The Commission on Human Relations was empowered under the law to hear reasons for why an eviction should proceed.

Officials haven’t taken further action to fund the increased work for the commission, something some activists lobbied for during Tuesday’s council meeting, but an implementation plan is being worked out and officials are working to educate district judges and constables about the ban, Gross said.

She didn’t mention the lawsuit and other city officials haven’t discussed the pending litigation filed Friday by the North Huntingdon-based Landlord Services Bureau.

The lawsuit cites state law dictating that municipalities with a home-rule charter – which Pittsburgh has – “shall not determine duties, responsibilities or requirements placed upon businesses, occupations and employers … except as expressly provided by” state law.

The lawsuit contends the city ordinance goes against that, placing undue responsibilities and requirements on rental owners, and forces landlords to stay in or renew contracts.

The moratorium is temporary and ends when the city ends its declared emergency for the coronavirus pandemic. The latest declaration expires March 16.

Officials also are working on a program that would help renters pay past-due and future rent because of covid-related hardships that would give landlords cash that’s owed to them.

The program, expected to be online March 15, uses federal appropriations of $27 million for Allegheny County and $8.9 million for Pittsburgh.

It is being administered by the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority in partnership with Action Housing and Dollar Energy.