Philadelphia City Council held a hearing on Act 135, the Abandoned and Blighted Property Act, which is Pennsylvania’s property conservatorship law. The law allows nonprofits and other organizations to take control of vacant or blighted properties, rehab them and sell them. “We are all for removing blight from our city, but there are some fundamental core and constitutional issues. … I believe that when we are taking possession of property, divesting folks of their property rights, there needs to be a little more scrutiny,” said Council Member Jeffery Young, who convened the hearing. A University of Pennsylvania report released last year found that cases are disproportionately filed against Black and Asian-American property owners, and in areas where rising property values have already led to an elevated risk of residents being displaced. The report also raised concerns that many owners facing Act 135 cases are poor, elderly and ill-equipped to defend themselves. The law can be helpful to neighbors in shutting down nuisance properties that attract squatters and criminal activities. City council has no power to change the law, but can pass on recommendations to state lawmakers. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier voiced support for creating a task force to explore the failings of Act 135. Councilmember Mark Squilla raised the possibility after it was suggested by a witness, saying a task force could be a good vehicle to propose changes to the law. The move would require council approval. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/22/2024 and WHYY; 3/22/2024