436 Seventh Avenue
Matthew Desmond’s book “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” asserts that evictions are both a result and cause of poverty. In 2017, landlords in Allegheny County made 14,181 legal filings to evict their tenants and recover $24 million, primarily in back rent. Most filings do not result in actual evictions because many people move on their own. However, since the filings are public records, landlords use the information to screen prospective tenants.
The Pittsburgh Foundation has been working with the Allegheny Department of Human Services to understand the prevalence, burden and financial impact of these filings on individuals and families. It has also convened a broad group of practitioners to share the data and discuss potential system-focused solutions which would help families stabilize their housing.
Jane Downing and Michael Yonas, Senior Program Officers at The Pittsburgh Foundation and Rachel Rue, Analyst, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, will present an overview of the process to date and share what they’ve learned, ideas for systems interventions and some next steps.
This will be a brown-bag meeting, so please feel free to bring a lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided.