Harrisburg, Pa. (WENY)-- A group of lawmakers in Harrisburg is introducing a package of bills aimed at addressing the housing crisis in Pennsylvania. Specifically, it will seek to combat problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Several House Democrats have unveiled the Safe At Home package, a series of bills that will look to help renters, homeowners in debt, and small landlords survive the pandemic.

“To be rendered homeless in the middle of a global health pandemic would be catastrophic for our families and for our state,” says Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D- Philadelphia), who is sponsoring a couple of these bills.

More than a dozen pieces of legislation are included in the Safe at Home package, each aimed at addressing various issues surrounding rent, mortgage, and debt relief. One would extend the eviction and foreclosure moratorium for 60 days past the expiration state’s disaster declaration.

“We know that without housing security and a safe, reliable place to call home, we endanger the lives of our neighbors, of their families, and of our public health,” says Rep. Fiedler, sponsor of that specific bill.

That bill’s other sponsor, Rep. Sara Innamorato (D- Allegheny), says evictions during a pandemic will lead to more consequences than just homelessness.

“We know that with an increase in evictions, it leads to an increase in unnecessary COVID deaths,” Rep. Innamorato explains.

Other bills in the package would help small “mom and pop” landlords, assist homeless veterans, create rent payment plans, prohibit late fees, cut mortgage costs, reduce utility debt, modify loans for PFHA mortgages, and protect renter credit ratings, among other proposals. The full list can be found here: https://pahouse.com/safeathome.

“They’re not going to solve the longstanding housing crisis that existed long before COVID-19 was even in our lexicon, but it will build upon the federal actions being taken,” says Rep. Innamorato.

“These bills present the urgent and immediate solutions to save lives across the Commonwealth right now, and to prevent further trauma and suffering during this pandemic,” Rep. Fiedler adds.

Currently, there are one in five people behind on their rent as a result of the pandemic. That amounts to more than 14 million people nationwide. One Allegheny resident, who works on educating residents about fair housing rights, is supportive of the legislation.

“I really hope these bills will speak to housing as a human right for all people,” says Carol Hardeman. “It would only make sense to put a ban on evictions because when people are evicted, and if the CDC is saying we need to social distance at home, wash our hands, and do all the hygiene things, then people, once they are evicted, won’t have that luxury.”

Most of these proposals were introduced last year but didn’t receive a vote. Because we’re now in a new legislative session, they have to be re-introduced. Lawmakers in both chambers will return to Harrisburg for three days next week.