Tenant Services and Advocacy Organizations

Philadelphia road between buildings

Community Legal Services

Founded in 1966 by the Philadelphia Bar Association, Community Legal Services (CLS) has provided free civil legal assistance to more than one million low-income Philadelphians. Approximately 10,000 clients were represented by CLS in the past year. CLS assists clients when they face the threat of losing their homes, incomes, health care, and even their families.

Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN)

The Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN) is a tenant service and advocacy organization that promotes the human right to housing. They offer Tenant Rights Workshops, Individual Counseling, Hotline Assistance, and Tenant Union Organizing Assistance. They assist Philadelphia residents with:

Defense in eviction actions
Rental unit repair problems
Assistance with organizing tenant unions
Assistance with housing discrimination claims
Referrals for households to access additional support services
Subsidy and relocation services to qualifying tenants (only when referred by the City of Philadelphia)

Philadelphia Fair Housing Commission

The Fair Housing Commission (FHC) makes sure that renters have safe places to live and that landlords follow housing laws. The five-member commission and staff help people know their rights and responsibilities when it comes to renting a property.

Partners for Good Housing

The Partners for Good Housing handbook was created by Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections and outlines the responsibilities of owners, tenants, and landlords for maintaining safe housing conditions.