During a recent city council meeting, community advocates highlighted the urgent need for safe and affordable housing in Erie, emphasizing that housing is a fundamental human right. Presenters pointed out the stark realities faced by many residents in one of the poorest zip codes in the nation, where families struggle daily to secure adequate living conditions.

Statistics presented revealed a troubling housing crisis: 1,432 citizens in Erie are currently unhoused, and 21,700 individuals live in extreme poverty. The city has only 1,100 affordable housing units available, while 24.3% of the population lives below the poverty line—nearly double the national average. The situation is particularly dire for people of color, who face higher rents and greater discrimination in housing.

Advocates called for the adoption of proposed amendments to the tenant bill of rights, which aim to hold landlords accountable for unsafe housing conditions. Key proposals include mandatory rent abatement for uninhabitable properties, increased code enforcement, proactive housing inspections, and strengthened tenant protections against retaliation for reporting unsafe conditions.

The presenters urged the council to take decisive action to transform Erie into a city where housing is recognized as a right, not a privilege, stressing that the well-being of residents must be prioritized. The meeting underscored a collective commitment to ensuring that families are no longer trapped in unsafe living situations, advocating for a future where every resident has a dignified place to call home.