eviction prevention - Great USA News

A new study highlights the significant impact of the Philadelphia housing program PHLHousing+, a pilot project launched in 2022 that provides direct monthly cash assistance to low-income renters. Researchers say the results are not only dramatic but could also serve as a model for cities nationwide grappling with affordable housing crises.

📌 Story Highlights

PHLHousing+ pilot launched in 2022 with $10.8 million in public and private funding
Families receive monthly cash assistance through prepaid debit cards
Payments designed to cap housing costs at 30% of income
Study shows a 75% reduction in evictions and forced moves among participants
Homelessness rates cut by half compared to households without aid
Pilot runs until June 2026, future expansion still undecided

A Different Approach to Housing Assistance

Unlike traditional housing vouchers, which require families to find landlords willing to accept subsidies, the Philadelphia housing program PHLHousing+ takes a simpler approach: direct cash transfers. Each month, families receive a payment — loaded onto a prepaid debit card — to ensure they spend no more than 30% of their income on housing costs.

The key distinction is that the money is unconditional and unrestricted, giving households flexibility. They can use the funds to pay rent or cover other expenses tied to housing stability, such as utilities or moving costs.

“This cash-transfer program is dramatically improving people’s housing outcomes,” said Vincent Reina, founder and faculty director of the Housing Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania.

Evidence of Impact

Researchers studied 301 households randomly selected from the Philadelphia Housing Authority waitlist. To qualify, families had to earn less than 50% of the area median income — $59,700 for a family of four in 2025 — and include at least one child under 16.

The payments varied widely, from $45 to $2,433 per month, depending on the family’s needs. Outcomes were compared against 170 households with traditional vouchers and 725 households who remained on the waitlist with no support.

After two years, results were clear:

Families in PHLHousing+ experienced 75% fewer forced moves than those with no subsidy.
Rates of homelessness were cut in half for program participants.
Stable housing led to better mental and physical health outcomes, particularly for children.

“There’s robust literature showing that households that are more housing secure … have better mental health, better physical health,” explained Sara Jaffee, a psychology professor at Penn and director of the university’s Risk and Resilience Lab.

Real-Life Impact on Families

For families like Tracey Nathaniel’s, the difference has been life-changing. A certified nursing assistant and single mother living in South Philadelphia, she had been struggling for years to keep up with $1,150 in monthly rent.

“It was literally robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Nathaniel recalled.

She joined the Philadelphia housing program PHLHousing+ after waiting more than a decade for a Section 8 housing voucher. The cash assistance she now receives has given her room to breathe financially.

“These days, that balancing act has more breathing room,” Nathaniel said. “It’s my security blanket.”

She explained that the payments allowed her to cover medical co-pays required for certain nursing jobs. With that support, she’s been able to pick up more shifts and move closer to securing full-time employment.

“It opened doors for me that were initially closed,” she said. “If not for the program, I don’t honestly know where I would be going.”

Uncertain Future, But Strong Momentum

The Philadelphia housing program PHLHousing+ is scheduled to conclude in June 2026. Whether it will become a permanent fixture in the city’s housing strategy remains unclear.

“These results are a really important, foundational piece for that conversation,” said Rachel Mulbry, director of policy and strategic initiatives at the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation.

She emphasized that the most striking impact has been on families’ day-to-day security.

“They’re not in court, they’re not getting locked out more informally by a landlord, they’re not sleeping on couches or in a car, in a shelter. That’s absolutely huge,” Mulbry said.

What Comes Next

Philadelphia is also preparing to launch a broader initiative — Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) — aimed at preserving and creating 30,000 affordable housing units. Backed by $800 million in bonds, the program will include multiple strategies to keep low-income families housed and address the city’s shortage of affordable units.

For now, researchers and housing advocates point to the success of PHLHousing+ as proof that flexible, unconditional cash assistance can work. As the city moves forward, the pilot may serve as both a guide and a catalyst for long-term housing solutions.

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Clark County’s widely used rental assistance program, the Eviction Prevention and Fixed Income Rent Assistance initiative, has officially stopped accepting new applications. The program, formerly known as CHAP, has been a lifeline for thousands of residents struggling to pay rent or avoid eviction, but now the funding is nearly depleted.

Since its launch, the program has distributed millions of dollars to help local residents, and more than 73,000 people have received support. The county emphasized that applications already submitted will still be processed in the order they were received, but priority will be given to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Story Highlights:

Clark County rental assistance program stops accepting new applications as funding nears exhaustion.
Eviction prevention efforts continue for high-priority residents, including seniors and people with disabilities.
Las Vegas Justice Court Eviction Diversion program receives $15 million to assist high-priority applicants.
CHAP has distributed over $375 million since 2020, assisting 73,000 residents.
Residents facing eviction can contact Clark County Social Services at (702) 455-4270 or visit the Civil Law Self Help Center.

Jamie Sorenson, director of Clark County Social Services, acknowledged the impact of the news. “We recognize this news may be challenging for those who are experiencing hardship,” Sorenson said. She added that while the funding for the Clark County rental assistance program is nearing exhaustion, the county remains committed to helping residents in need.

Sorenson encouraged residents to continue seeking help. “Applications that are already in the system will be processed as received. However, we are giving priority to senior citizens and people with disabilities. These residents are encouraged to apply to the Las Vegas Justice Court Eviction Diversion program, which recently received $15 million from the Nevada Legislature to provide additional support.”

The program began in 2020 as the CARES Housing Assistance Program, commonly known as CHAP, as part of the county’s effort to help residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the initiative has adapted to meet evolving community needs, providing rental and utility assistance to residents struggling to maintain stable housing.

“This funding has been in place since COVID-19, and our programming has adapted to meet the needs of our community,” Sorenson said. “While the funding is reaching exhaustion, I am proud that over 73,000 residents have been assisted, and we continue to work to support those in need of other resources as best as we can.”

Residents facing eviction and in need of assistance are urged to contact Clark County Social Services at (702) 455-4270. For more information on preventing eviction or responding to an eviction notice, residents can visit the Civil Law Self Help Center at 200 Lewis Avenue.

As the Clark County rental assistance program reaches the end of its funding, residents facing housing challenges are encouraged to explore other available resources. While CHAP helped tens of thousands avoid eviction over the past years, programs like the Las Vegas Justice Court Eviction Diversion offer continued support for seniors, people with disabilities, and other high-priority residents. Staying informed and reaching out to local social services remains essential for those in need of eviction prevention assistance.