WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County residents facing eviction will have access to continued legal assistance, rental support, and housing stabilization services through a $250,000 state grant awarded to Friends Association, according to state Rep. Chris Pielli.
The funding, provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Community and Economic Assistance Program, will support Friends Association’s Eviction Prevention Case Resolution program.
The program provides free legal representation to eligible households facing eviction, alongside landlord mediation, tenant education, rental assistance, and case management designed to prevent displacement.
According to Pielli’s office, the initiative is the only program in Chester County offering free legal representation specifically for households facing the threat of homelessness.
Its services combine legal intervention with financial and housing-related assistance, addressing both immediate eviction proceedings and circumstances that could leave households at risk of future displacement.
Participants can receive short- and long-term case management, referrals to community resources, and assistance negotiating with landlords.
The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania has recognized the program as a model for eviction prevention, according to Pielli’s office.
“Eviction is a dire situation that many families are facing today,” Pielli, a Chester County Democrat, stated.
He also raised concerns about tenants experiencing economic hardship and the possibility of improper evictions.
“The Friends Association helps vulnerable people and provides not only legal help and resources, but also dignity during their time of need,” Pielli added.
The $250,000 allocation will support the organization’s existing eviction prevention services, providing state funding for efforts to help Chester County residents remain housed rather than enter homelessness.
The award comes through a state economic and community assistance program administered by DCED, extending public support for housing stability services in the county.
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