Lancaster County's court system has extended its Covid-19 eviction moratorium by two weeks to Friday, Feb. 12, LNP newspaper reported Friday.
The order issued by President Judge David Ashworth applies to tenants seeking protection from eviction for nonpayment of rent due to financial hardship, under the terms provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Tenants must sign an attestation declaring they have sought "all available government assistance" in paying their rent and would become homeless or would be obliged to live in crowded conditions if they were evicted.
Landlords are still allowed to evict households for violating other terms of their lease.
The CDC's moratorium was set to expire Dec. 31, but was extended to Jan. 31 under the terms of the stimulus bill Congress passed last month.
In 2020, Lancaster County renters at risk of eviction could apply for assistance through Pennsylvania's Rental Relief program. It wrapped up in November, but Lancaster County's Eviction Prevention Network has continued helping eligible tenants using CARES Act money from the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
For information or to apply, contact the United Way of Lancaster County's 211 referral service.