Policy Initiatives
RHLS dedicates a significant portion of our practice to overcoming policy-based barriers to progress. Our experienced attorneys analyze public policy, systemic elements, and programs with the benefit of historical perspective and the advantage of a visionary eye, quickly identifying critical issues and pinpointing unmet needs.
RHLS work with nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and governmental entities to help develop programs that fill critical needs in housing and economic development and to provide organizations and individuals with support to access and implement existing best practices.
Some of our current projects include:
- identifying and supporting effective foreclosure-prevention programs and policies;
- working as part of a coalition to devise innovative responses to Philadelphia’s vacant lot problem;
- research, education and legislation to enable owners of manufactured housing to purchase the land on which their homes are located; and
- releasing a manual on conservatorship;
- advocating for weatherization of affordable multi-family housing; and
- supporting transit-oriented development.
Examples of past policy successes include:
- creating and staffing the HEMAP Help Center to improve individuals’ understanding of HEMAP and increasing access to HEMAP loans;
- helping to move the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) from a marginal program into a highly productive program; and
- developing program concepts – HCP and MUFFI.
