“I am taking this action to help families know they will have a roof over their heads and a place to live while all of us fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. Wolf said in a statement.
Increased viral transmission in southwestern Pennsylvania is largely responsible for a 37% jump in the rate of new infections statewide over the past four weeks, according to an AP analysis of data.
Gov. Wolf and state lawmakers are devoting at least $150 million in federal coronavirus emergency relief money for rental assistance of $750 per month for up to six months.
Wolf said that he does not envision another broad shutdown order to contain the coronavirus in Pennsylvania and, rather, hopes to leave those decisions to local governments.
The legislation requires police agencies implement strict use-of-force policies, document and report use-of-force incidents, and bans the use of chokeholds.
The state utility commission enacted a moratorium on shutoffs in March as Gov. Tom Wolf implemented shutdown orders to help stop the spread of the virus.
