Resolution 160256
Calling on the Sheriff's Department and Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Court to impose a Moratorium on all residential mortgage foreclosure sales and related Ejectment actions resulting from residential mortgage foreclosure in Philadelphia.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Resolution 160256 continues to set yet another way by land developers. Resolutions are passing through our City Council Chambers at a rate that will make the Founding Fathers of this general assembly cry out from the grave. I guess about all the secretive land deals that are currently unrevealing in the media and under federal investigation, this city and the voters will now get to see just how concerned our Councilm…”
Ms. Lloyd · Stated Meeting, May 12, 2016 · May 12, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
“Good morning, Council, and members and people. Under Resolution 160256, our judicial branch, along with our mortgage foreclosure Stated Meeting May 12, 2016 program, which is nothing more than a special program, which in all cases is unconstitutional, has been ripe for the gavel for over several years now, and here are some reasons or key reasons I think we should pass 160256. Number one, when a special program or sy…”
Mr. Young · Stated Meeting, May 12, 2016 · May 12, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
“The ayes have it. Resolution 160256 is adopted. (Applause.) Stated Meeting May 12, 2016 5/12/16 - STATED - 2ND READING”
Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, May 12, 2016 · May 12, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
“-- Resolution 160256, I could not agree more. The families in my area are in danger of losing their homes and need relief immediately citywide, but especially in my community of North Central Philadelphia, and that residents of the 5th Councilmanic District continue to be bombarded with systemic issues like mortgage foreclosures. I would like to see and segue to this: Residents of all ages may lose their homes, be di…”
Ms. Wiggins · Stated Meeting, May 5, 2016 · May 5, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
“Good afternoon, Council. I haven't wrote anything down. I'm just going to come from the heart, and I'm speaking on Bill 160256 as a constituent. We have elected y'all and put y'all in office because of the oath that y'all have taken, because of the trust that we feel that y'all have. You know, we have come from your word is your bond and all you have is your word. You know, we've been coming here consistently. We hav…”
Ms. Lloyd · Stated Meeting, May 5, 2016 · May 5, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
“Good morning, Council. My name is Crystal Stephens with a P-H, and I'm here to comment on Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 Resolution 160256 and Resolution 160261. In 2008, we all know that something went very wrong in the mortgage industry, and as a result, the banks got bought out, they got bailed out, they got sold out. But where does that leave homeowners? They got put out. Philadelphia attempted to come to the rescu…”
Ms. Stephens · Stated Meeting, April 7, 2016 · Apr 7, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Mar 31, 2016Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- May 12, 2016ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
Read the full text as published
..Title Calling on the Sheriff's Department and Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Court to impose a Moratorium on all residential mortgage foreclosure sales and related Ejectment actions resulting from residential mortgage foreclosure in Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Court serves as a national model for the prevention of residential foreclosures, and has successfully saved hundreds of thousands of family homes to avert homelessness for countless individuals; and WHEREAS, Despite the great work toward limiting mortgage foreclosures and curbing homelessness, many homeowners are now experiencing challenges within the loan modification process and in pro se filing of documents with the Prothonotary's Office; and WHEREAS, Homeowners have voiced numerous concerns about not receiving proper notice of hearing dates related to mortgage foreclosure and as a consequence they were not in attendance for the hearing which resulted in an automatic default judgment finding the homeowner financially responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars including astronomical attorneys fees and other legal and court related charges; and WHEREAS, Many families in Philadelphia have complained and produced evidence that may suggest systemic problems and failures related to the service and delivery of mortgage foreclosure notices regarding their homes. The gravity of a failure to receive proper notice of legal proceedings unfairly results in a finding against the homeowner, potentially causing him or her to lose their home without ever having a chance to appear in court and explain circumstances or challenge the amount of the debt owed; and WHEREAS, It is the duty of this Body to protect the citizens and the neighborhoods of Philadelphia, and this Body has previously committed significant effort to address concerns and issues within the mortgage foreclosure process in effort to better balance the equities among big banks, large law firms and the average individual homeowner in Philadelphia. Yet, based on rise of recent concerns and evidence presented in public hearing on Resolution 150361 held on October 6, 2015, a much deeper review of the process and procedures within Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Court is warranted; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby call on the Sheriff's Department and Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Court to impose a moratorium on all residential mortgage foreclosure sales and related Ejectment actions resulting from residential mortgage foreclosure in Philadelphia in order to provide opportunity for further review and resolution of any systemic problems. ..End