U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th, of Easttown, united with individuals making a difference to help people avoid and overcome the threat of eviction from their homes.

The virtual roundtable, held Tuesday, featured a conversation with Houlahan and panelists Dale Gravett, executive director of the Chester County Housing Authority; Pat Bokovitz, director of the Chester County Community Development Department; Kimberly Talbot, executive director of Reading Human Relations Commission; and Jennifer Lopez, executive director of Friends Association.

The pandemic crisis, Talbot said, has had a “devastating impact” on families in the City of Reading. “I don’t think we know the full extent of what it is doing.”

“Our children are missing days of school even though they are at the computer at home,” Talbot said. “I’ve noticed more calls for food.”

“We won’t collectively know what the impact of the pandemic will be on many of us for quite some time,” Houlahan said regarding housing and food security for individuals and families facing financial hardship in both Berks and Chester counties.

Overall, the virtual roundtable focused on the expiring eviction moratorium, which was recently extended to June 30, and the subsequent housing assistance included in the most recent stimulus package passed by Congress earlier in March and signed into law by President Joe Biden two weeks ago.

More emergency funds are en route to Americans to help people pay their rent thanks to the newly enacted federal stimulus, called the American Rescue Plan, to combat financial woes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Houlahan said some provisions included $21.5 billion in emergency rental assistance to help people keep paying their rent and stay in their homes and $10 billion for the homeowners assistance fund which helps folks beyond with their mortgage and utility payments.

The congressional representative said there are provisions en route of $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers for people who are experiencing homelessness and $100 million, administered by the USAD, to support people who live in rural areas stay in their homes and avoid eviction.

The panelist applauded the new federal provisions set to support people facing eviction during the forum on Tuesday.

Lopez, the executive director of Friends Association, encouraged renters struggling financially to remain in good communication with their landlords.

She said if the rent is going to be late, communicate immediately with the landlord via phone and then follow up with an emailed statement in writing.

“Communicate, communicate, communicate,” Lopez said.

“Before the conversation goes south, get a lawyer who can help you figure out how to talk to your landlord. And ultimately, don’t give up,” Lopez said. “There are so many agencies willing to help.”

"It's really important to get out information out to people that there are resources to help," Houlahan told the Daily Local News following the roundtable discussion on Tuesday. 

She added, "There are resources to help with something as critical as having a roof over your head."

Houlahan said food and shelter are essential and expressed thanks to those working across Chester and Berks counties supporting families in need of affordable housing support. "I am really grateful that there are people in our community out there doing this work," she said.

Of the pandemic, Houlahan said, "I am hoping we can collectively come out of this — stronger."

She said, "I, of course, see glimmers of hope."