In Philadelphia, the battle against eviction has a new champion in the form of Serve Philadelphia VISTA, which is taking considerable strides to keep residents in their homes. They've rolled out an Eviction Diversion Program, aiming to intervene before legal battles begin, offering solutions like housing counselors, mediators, and direct financial assistance to tenants lagging behind on rent.
It's a well-known fact, reported by The City of Philadelphia's official website, that neighborhoods predominantly inhabited by Black and brown folks bear the brunt of evictions, with these communities often precariously positioned on the lower rungs of the income ladder. Ali Saribas, a Serve Philadelphia VISTA member, along with his supervisor, Michal Bilick, are extending a lifeline to these residents by linking them up with city programs designed to lighten the courts' caseload and circumvent the emotional hardship of eviction.
Saribas' tenure at the Municipal Court has been marked by a rapid acquisition of essential skills according to the city's website. From penning emails to crunching numbers, he has readily expanded his policy-making capabilities under the tutelage of the Programs and Policy unit's Data Analyst. "Ali has been valuable to us as we make policy decisions," Michal Bilick reportedly said. His contributions have informed internal policy reviews that ultimately broadened financial aid eligibility for those in need.
Moreover, Ali is not just crunching numbers. Finding himself at the nexus of technology and compassion, he's giving life to program data through visual graphics and personally ushering landlords through the application maze. About the process, Saribas told the city's website, "Every application has its own unique twist. I’m talking with attorneys. I’m seeing new faces every other day." It’s a testament to his belief that behind every statistic, there's a human story.
This VISTA project is a pioneer of sorts, being the first to position its members directly at court. Scheduled to continue for two years, its mission is to bolster the Eviction Diversion Program and other housing initiatives within the city's Division of Housing and Community Development. As for Saribas, his prospects are looking up with graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania on the horizon, a dream he's harbored for the better part of ten years, and one he attributes to his tenure as a VISTA, the city's website narrated. The city extend their gratitude for his service and anticipates the great things he's set to accomplish.
