Accessing Economic Impact Payments & IRS Non-Filer Tool
The new IRS Non-Filer Tool will allow individuals to provide their information to the IRS so that they can receive any of the three Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), also known as “stimulus payments,” that they may be missing.
The new IRS Non-Filer Tool will allow individuals to provide their information to the IRS so that they can receive any of the three Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), also known as “stimulus payments,” that they may be missing.
If an individual did not get the full amounts of the EIPs, they may use this tool if they:
Are not required to file a 2020 tax return, didn’t file a 2020 tax return, and don’t plan to, and
Want to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit (which covers the first and second EIPs) and get their third EIP.
Although this non-filer portal is labeled as for non-filers claiming advance payments of the child tax credit, it is also available for others, including single individuals and people experiencing homelessness.
Contact Legal Aid of Southeastern PA at rhouseman@lasp.org.
State of Homelessness: 2021 Edition
The current report draws from the nationwide Point-in-Time Count that occurred in January of 2020, just a few weeks before COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. Thus, the data does not reflect any of the changes brought about by the crisis. Instead, the current report reflects the State of Homelessness in America just before a once-in-a-lifetime event interrupted the status quo. In January 2020, there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in America. Most were individuals (70 percent), and the rest were people living in families with children. They lived in every state and territory, and they reflected the diversity of our country.
The current report draws from the nationwide Point-in-Time Count that occurred in January of 2020, just a few weeks before COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. Thus, the data does not reflect any of the changes brought about by the crisis. Instead, the current report reflects the State of Homelessness in America just before a once-in-a-lifetime event interrupted the status quo. In January 2020, there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in America. Most were individuals (70 percent), and the rest were people living in families with children. They lived in every state and territory, and they reflected the diversity of our country.
Fair Housing Discrimination Based on Disabilities Still a Frequent Complaint in Pennsylvania
Fair housing discrimination based on disabilities continues to be one of the most frequent complaints according to fair housing organizations in Pennsylvania.
Out of Reach 2021
Out of Reach documents the significant gap between renters’ wages and the cost of rental housing across the United States. The report’s central statistic, the Housing Wage, is an estimate of the hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford a modest rental home at HUD’s fair market rent (FMR) without spending more than 30% of his or her income on housing costs, the accepted standard of affordability.
Out of Reach documents the significant gap between renters’ wages and the cost of rental housing across the United States. The report’s central statistic, the Housing Wage, is an estimate of the hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford a modest rental home at HUD’s fair market rent (FMR) without spending more than 30% of his or her income on housing costs, the accepted standard of affordability.
The Many Effects of Housing Discrimination on African Americans
A report from Brookings Institute found, “African Americans are disproportionately treated at health care facilities with the fewest technological resources, the most poorly trained professionals and least experienced clinicians serve predominantly black patient populations.” Public health reports show that racial residential segregation is a fundamental cause of health care disparities between Whites and Blacks. Socioeconomic status differences between races include employment and education, both of which affect health and a person’s ability to build wealth.
El Hueco: La Escasez de Viviendas Asequibles
Cada año, la Coalición Nacional de Vivienda de Bajos Ingresos (NLIHC) mide la disponibilidad de viviendas de alquiler asequibles para hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos y otros grupos de ingresos. Basado en la Muestra de Microdatos de Uso Público de la Encuesta de la Comunidad Estadounidense (ACS PUMS), El Hueco presenta datos sobre la oferta de vivienda asequible y las cargas de los costos de vivienda a nivel nacional, estatal y metropolitano. El informe también examina la demografía, la discapacidad y el estado laboral, y otras características de los hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos más afectados por la escasez nacional de viviendas de alquiler asequibles y disponibles.
Cada año, la Coalición Nacional de Vivienda de Bajos Ingresos (NLIHC) mide la disponibilidad de viviendas de alquiler asequibles para hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos y otros grupos de ingresos. Basado en la Muestra de Microdatos de Uso Público de la Encuesta de la Comunidad Estadounidense (ACS PUMS), El Hueco presenta datos sobre la oferta de vivienda asequible y las cargas de los costos de vivienda a nivel nacional, estatal y metropolitano. El informe también examina la demografía, la discapacidad y el estado laboral, y otras características de los hogares de ingresos extremadamente bajos más afectados por la escasez nacional de viviendas de alquiler asequibles y disponibles.
2020 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a HUD report to the U.S. Congress that provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, including information about the demographic characteristics of homeless persons, service use patterns, and the capacity to house homeless persons. The report is based on Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data about persons who experience homelessness during a 12-month period, point-in-time counts of people experiencing homelessness on one day in January, and data about the inventory of shelter and housing available in a community.
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a HUD report to the U.S. Congress that provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, including information about the demographic characteristics of homeless persons, service use patterns, and the capacity to house homeless persons. The report is based on Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data about persons who experience homelessness during a 12-month period, point-in-time counts of people experiencing homelessness on one day in January, and data about the inventory of shelter and housing available in a community.
Fuera de Alcance 2021
Los documentos fuera de alcance son una brecha significativa entre los salarios de los inquilinos y el costo de vivienda de alquiler en los Estados Unidos. La estadística central del informe, el costo de vivienda es una estimación del salario por hora que debe ganar un trabajador a tiempo completo para pagar una vivienda de alquiler modesta con el alquiler de mercado justo (FMR) de HUD sin gastar más del 30% de sus ingresos en gastos de vivienda, el estándar aceptado de asequibilidad.
Los documentos fuera de alcance son una brecha significativa entre los salarios de los inquilinos y el costo de vivienda de alquiler en los Estados Unidos. La estadística central del informe, el costo de vivienda es una estimación del salario por hora que debe ganar un trabajador a tiempo completo para pagar una vivienda de alquiler modesta con el alquiler de mercado justo (FMR) de HUD sin gastar más del 30% de sus ingresos en gastos de vivienda, el estándar aceptado de asequibilidad.
Housing and Health: A Roadmap for the Future
In this report, the American Hospital Association shares data on the connection between health and housing stability. To be physically and mentally healthy, individuals need a safe, stable place to sleep at night. Housing-insecure individuals have worse health status and outcomes than those in stable housing.
Students Experiencing Homelessness in Pennsylvania: New Evidence of Under-Identification and Inequity
Pennsylvania schools have a history of under-identification. In this brief, Research for Action provides some evidence of improvement in identification of students experiencing homelessness in PA; however, rates vary by school community and Pennsylvania overall ranks only 36th out of 50 states in identification of students experiencing homelessness per school-aged children in poverty.
Unemployment Rights and Resources – COVID-19
Across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvanians are doing their part to combat this virus–from staying indoors and delivering supplies to neighbors to caring for sick patients in hospitals and keeping our communities safe—and together, we’re going to beat this. My office is working to protect the health, safety, and financial security of all Pennsylvanians during this public health emergency. If you need help accessing any of the resources available below and are unsure who to contact, please reach out to my office at 717-787-3391 or info@attorneygeneral.gov.
Across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvanians are doing their part to combat this virus–from staying indoors and delivering supplies to neighbors to caring for sick patients in hospitals and keeping our communities safe—and together, we’re going to beat this. My office is working to protect the health, safety, and financial security of all Pennsylvanians during this public health emergency. If you need help accessing any of the resources available below and are unsure who to contact, please reach out to my office at 717-787-3391 or info@attorneygeneral.gov.
Chester County Planning Commission Housing Report 2020
In 2020, recent trends of increasing housing prices, sales, and new construction continued. The median home sale price continued to rise, from $340,000 in 2018 to $355,000 in 2019, then further increasing to $375,064 in 2020. Adjusting for inflation, this is the highest median price since 2007.
In 2020, recent trends of increasing housing prices, sales, and new construction continued. The median home sale price continued to rise, from $340,000 in 2018 to $355,000 in 2019, then further increasing to $375,064 in 2020. Adjusting for inflation, this is the highest median price since 2007.
50 Obstacles to Leaving
The National Domestic Violence Hotline adapted Sarah M. Buel’s “Fifty Obstacles to Leaving, a.k.a., Why Abuse Victims Stay” outlining 50 different reasons why abuse victims stay that she has encountered throughout her 20+ years of work in the domestic violence field.
Understanding the Cycle of Housing Insecurity for Marginalized Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence
This paper summarizes findings from a community-based participatory research study conducted in collaboration with survivors from marginalized communities. The cycle of housing insecurity model presented in this paper draws attention to survivors’ barriers in getting and keeping housing. Recommendations are offered to counter these experiences through improved program services, policy implementation, and public awareness.
ALICE in Pennsylvania: A Financial Hardship Study
This body of research provides a framework, language, and tools to measure and understand the struggles of a population called ALICE — an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE represents the growing number of households in our communities that do not earn enough to afford basic necessities. Partnering with United Ways, nonprofits, academic institutions, corporations, and other state organizations, this research initiative provides data to stimulate meaningful discussion, attract new partners, and ultimately inform strategies for positive change. Read more about ALICE in Chester County
This body of research provides a framework, language, and tools to measure and understand the struggles of a population called ALICE — an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE represents the growing number of households in our communities that do not earn enough to afford basic necessities. Partnering with United Ways, nonprofits, academic institutions, corporations, and other state organizations, this research initiative provides data to stimulate meaningful discussion, attract new partners, and ultimately inform strategies for positive change.
¡Lanzamiento de la campaña de concientización pública!
Decade to Doorways y el condado de Chester reconocieron los esfuerzos incansables y el progreso significativo de la asociación Decade to Doorways de agencias locales, empresas, comunidades religiosas y vecinos para poner fin a la falta de vivienda en el condado de Chester para 2022.
Decade to Doorways y el condado de Chester reconocieron los esfuerzos incansables y el progreso significativo de la asociación Decade to Doorways de agencias locales, empresas, comunidades religiosas y vecinos para poner fin a la falta de vivienda en el condado de Chester para 2022.
Decade to Doorways anunció la nueva campaña de concientización pública para mostrar la compasión activa detrás de escena y el apoyo inquebrantable que la asociación brinda a nuestra comunidad a diario.
A Place to Call Home: Housing Challenges Among Immigrant Families
Immigrant families face housing challenges including a lack of affordable housing, health hazards, and overcrowding. Family professionals can support housing by asking about immigrant client housing, connecting with resources, supporting culturally sensitive housing programs, and encouraging political engagement.
Decade to Doorways COVID-19 Response
The community has had to adapt and respond creatively to continue to meet the needs of our neighbors in need during the current health crisis.
The community has had to adapt and respond creatively to continue to meet the needs of our neighbors in need during the current health crisis.
DCD staff transitioned over 100 community members residing in emergency shelters and places not meant for human habitation into area hotels. “Using hotels was deemed the best means of ensuring the health and safety of our most vulnerable community members,” said Pat Bokovitz.
Since the start of the pandemic, in mid-March, over 50 households have taken part in a housing program that has resulted in being placed in permanent housing or who are currently looking for a permanent home.
Wings for Success Services for Women Ages 15+ During COVID-19
Need help? Wings for Success provides the following: Emergency clothing or clothing for work, updating resume/interview prep/career advice, and virtual workshops. Hablamos español.
Need help? Wings for Success provides the following: Emergency clothing or clothing for work, updating resume/interview prep/career advice, and virtual workshops. Hablamos español.
Justice at Work’s Guidance for the Safety of Essential Workers: Pennsylvania Department of Health Order of April 15, 2020
Are you still working because your workplace is an "essential" business? If so, you are entitled to health and safety protections at work. Employers must take certain actions to ensure the health and safety of its employees.
Are you still working because your workplace is an "essential" business? If so, you are entitled to health and safety protections at work. Employers must take certain actions to ensure the health and safety of its employees, including:
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, in accordance with CDC guidance.
If the business finds out it has been exposed to an individual with Covid-19, it must:
Close off the area where the sick employee has been working
Ventilate the area for 24 hours before beginning to clean it
Identify employees who were in close contact with the sick individual
Test employee’s temperatures when they begin their shift
Employees with symptoms should stay home from work
Employee work schedule changes
Stagger employees’ shift start and end times so that they are not in groups
Stagger employees’ break times so that they are not taking breaks in large groups
• Provide enough space for social distancing at work
Provide enough space for employees to have breaks and meals while remaining at least 6 feet apart from one another
Limit the number of employees in common areas
Conduct meetings virtually when possible
Do not require meetings of more than 10 people or within 6 feet of each other
Provide its employees with access to frequent hand washing with soap and water, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and protective masks to be worn at all times
Businesses open to the public must also:
Limit the number of customers and employees in the building at one time
Install shields or barriers in check-out areas to separate cashiers from customers
Require all customers to wear a mask in the building (with limited exceptions)
If you have questions about this guidance or believe your employer is not following it, contact Justice at Work at 215-733-0878. All calls are confidential.