Smith-Wade-El lauds Shapiro’s call to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing
Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El February 4, 2025 | 1:31 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El made the following statement today regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s call on state lawmakers – made during his 2024-25 budget address – to pass legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians whose records prevent them from being able to secure adequate housing:
“Every American Dream begins with a home. But eviction records, often years old or inaccurate, prevent working-class Pennsylvanians from accessing that dream. Millions of Pennsylvanians are being denied housing time after time, application fee after application fee, because of one situation or mistake that led to an eviction. Who among us hasn’t gotten behind on a bill? Why must one mistake cost you a roof over your head forever?
“This isn’t how housing should operate, and Governor Shapiro agrees. I’m grateful to him for calling on us to fulfill our responsibility to give all Pennsylvanians a fair chance at a stable life. I’m also grateful to the many stakeholders and colleagues who have been working with me to change this devastating housing practice since 2023.”
Most landlords and property managers now use automated tenant screening measures that deny the application of anyone with a single eviction record. That’s even the case if the motion to evict was withdrawn, the court found in favor of the tenant, or the tenant was enduring domestic violence when evicted.
Smith-Wade-El introduced H.B. 1769 during the previous legislative session to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, just like any other record.
When filing the bill, Smith-Wade-El and his co-sponsors noted that when an individual can’t get housing, it creates a cascade of related issues that can quickly become insurmountable. Families get separated, and people lose their jobs or can’t get a new one because they don’t have a permanent address. The unhoused person is also more likely to enter an unsafe housing situation out of desperation, such as returning to an abusive partner.
They also noted that Pennsylvania was the first state to automatically seal criminal records, allowing more than a million Pennsylvanians a fresh start and access to family-sustaining jobs – an undeniable success that can be repeated when it comes to eviction records and access to housing.
“This isn’t just devastating individuals and families,” Smith-Wade-El continued. “When someone can’t find housing, they’re also rendered virtually unemployable. Millions of Pennsylvanians can’t find housing because of a past eviction, disrupting workforce development for entire communities. It’s another case of a greed-centered corporate practice straining the commonwealth’s social support systems – which, of course, ultimately lands on the backs of families like yours and mine.
“Eviction records are one of the factors contributing to the housing crisis in America. A healthy, just society allows room for mistakes, recognizing that nobody is perfect. I don’t think any of us truly believe one mistake ought to follow someone around forever and ruin their chance at a stable life in a good community. It’s time to decide what kind of people we want to be – do we want to look backward for ways to punish people for a lifetime, or do we want to push forward in our endeavor to foster safe, happy communities?”
Smith-Wade-El is the secretary of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and represents the 49th Legislative District.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Community Legal Services’ 2023 report - Advancing Pennsylvania’s Housing Futures: Sealing Eviction Records for Housing Stability & Economic Prosperity.
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