A long-anticipated vote on the Safe Healthy Homes Act was put on hold Thursday after two landlords filed a lawsuit accusing Philadelphia City Council of violating Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act.
Supporters of the bill filled the halls of City Hall, chanting “housing is a human right” and “renter power never dies.” The full council vote was delayed in response to the legal challenge.
The lawsuit alleges that council opened the public comment period only after the bills had already passed through the Council’s Housing Committee. The plaintiffs argue that it violates requirements for accessible and open public meetings.
One of the plaintiffs, landlord and longtime real estate agent, Seth Floyd, said the process shut out public participation.
“By the time that public hearing was opened, half the council was gone. The vote had already happened. They had passed it, and moved this to city council, which is a total violation of everyone’s rights in the City of Philadelphia,” Floyd said.
Councilmember Nicholas O’Rourke, who sponsored the bills, dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt to block new tenant protections.
“What was clear to me is that it was never about any of that. It was about stopping this, bringing about tenant protections,” O’Rourke said. “We’re not deterred in that we are actually sharpened in our focus and our clarity.”
The Safe Healthy Homes Act would protect tenants from retaliation when they file complaints and would require landlords to make necessary repairs. It would also authorize the city to inspect rental units and impose fines, including potential rent restitution for tenants.
“Eventually we’re gonna get this passed,” said Tyrone Jones of North Philadelphia.
Floyd argued the proposed requirements would be too severe for property owners.
“There is no way a person would be able to do that. Now you’re looking at foreclosures,” he said.
In response to the lawsuit, council has sent the bills back to the housing committee for additional public comment.