Regional Housing Legal Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE WORK ALONGSIDE COMMUNITIES IN THE FIGHT TO CREATE AND PROTECT SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOMES. WE PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR GROUPS SERVING THOSE WITH LOW INCOMES, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, UNITE PARTNERS, AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGES.
- Income
- $5.0 million
- Spending
- $4.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 26
- Volunteers
- 22
- Highest pay
- $227,766, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 49% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $2.5 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OREGIONAL HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2024-2025REGIONAL HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES (RHLS) WORKS ALONGSIDE COMMUNITIES IN THE FIGHT TO CREATE AND PROTECT SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOMES. WE PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR GROUPS SERVING THOSE WITH LOW INCOMES, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, UNITE PARTNERS, AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGES. RHLS IS COMMITTED TO INTEGRATING RACIAL EQUITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR WORK, IN PURSUIT OF ACHIEVING RACIAL JUSTICE IN HOUSING, UTILITIES, AND COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE BELIEVE ALL PEOPLE DESERVE HOUSING THAT IS HEALTHY, SAFE, AND AFFORDABLE IN A COMMUNITY OF CHOICE WHERE THEY CAN THRIVE. RHLS HAS HELPED CREATE OR PRESERVE 11,533 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCLUDING $2.1 BILLION IN FINANCING SINCE 1973. OUR CORE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGING IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ENGAGING IN SYSTEMS CHANGE THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY, RESEARCH, DATA ANALYSIS, AND EDUCATION THAT CREATES OR BOLSTERS RESOURCES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION; INCREASES PROTECTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME TENANTS; AND PROMOTES EQUITABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. TRAINING, EDUCATING AND INFORMING TO SUPPORT LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ON TOPICS RELATED TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. KEY RHLS ACCOMPLISHMENTS:LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR NONPROFIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, RHLS REPRESENTED 113 UNIQUE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS 149 CASES RELATED TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. WITH SUPPORT FROM RHLS, 711 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCLUDING $180 MILLION IN FINANCING WERE DEVELOPED. THIS INCLUDES REPRESENTATION AND FINANCIAL CLOSE OF SEVEN INDIVIDUAL MULTIFAMILY RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS FINANCED IN PART WITH THE USE OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT (LIHTC) DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. POLICY AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACYRHLS WORKED IN COALITION WITH PARTNERS IN HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND LEGAL AID TO ENGAGE IN SYSTEMS CHANGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOW-INCOME PENNSYLVANIANS. THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS SOME OF THE KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR: ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF RENT CONTROL FOR MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES ON THE STATE LEVEL. THIS INCLUDED WORK ON LEGISLATION AIMING TO IMPLEMENT RENT CONTROL POLICIES IN MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS THE PUBLISHING OF A REPORT THAT INCLUDES A STATE-BY-STATE REVIEW OF RENT STABILIZATION LAWS IN MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS WORK IS ONGOING. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CORPORATION FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, RHLS RECOMMENDED THE CREATION OF AN INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS. THE GOVERNOR INDICATED HIS INTENTION TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS RECOMMENDATION IN HIS FALL BUDGET ADDRESS. WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO CREATE A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR HOME REPAIRS FOR LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME HOMEOWNERS ACROSS THE STATE, BASED ON THE MODEL OF THE WHOLE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM ORIGINALLY FUNDED BY A ONE-TIME INFUSION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) DOLLARS. THIS WORK IS ONGOING. ISSUING PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY'S QUALIFIED ALLOCATION PLAN; ACT 129 WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS; AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING GUIDANCE TO THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD); AND OTHERS.TRAINING AND OUTREACHRHLS PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE AT THE NEXUS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LEGAL SERVICES AS A SPECIALTY PROGRAM WITHIN THE STATE LEGAL AID NETWORK. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, RHLS PROVIDED 65 TRAININGS TO 2,853 ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. SUPPORT STAFF ADDITIONALLY PROVIDED DOZENS OF REFERRALS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CIVIL LEGAL AID, PRIVATE BAR, SOCIAL SERVICES, OR OTHER SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE. INFORMATION SEEKERS UTILIZING THE RHLS WEBSITE ALSO DOWNLOADED 42,143 PIECES OF LEGAL EDUCATION MATERIAL DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. SOME KEY TRAININGS/PRESENTATIONS INCLUDED: PRESERVING RENTAL HOUSING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS. HOUSING ACCESS FOR RETURNING CITIZENS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR TENANT SELECTION PLANS. THE ADVOCATE'S GUIDE TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT (LIHTC) FORUM ON THE JOHNSON V. GRANTS PASS SUPREME COURT DECISIONSTRATEGIC PLANNINGRHLS LAUNCHED A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS AND REBRANDING EXPLORATION, SUPPORTED BY SEVERAL CONSULTANTS. THE GOAL: TO DEFINE A CLEAR AND ACTIONABLE ROADMAP FOR RHLS'S NEXT CHAPTER, ONE THAT BUILDS ON ITS STRENGTHS, CENTERS RACIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUITY, AND POSITIONS THE ORGANIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH DRIVEN BY OUR MISSION AND VALUES. OVER FIFTEEN MONTHS RHLS ENGAGED OVER 100 STAKEHOLDERS, BOARD MEMBERS, CLIENTS, FUNDERS, STAFF, AND PARTNERS, THROUGH INTERVIEWS, FOCUS GROUPS, AND SURVEYS, CULMINATING IN A DISCOVERY BRIEF. THIS DISCOVERY BRIEF SURFACED CRITICAL INSIGHTS ABOUT RHLS'S IDENTITY, STRENGTHS, AREAS FOR GROWTH, AND THE VALUES THAT MUST GUIDE ITS FUTURE.INSIGHTS FROM THE DISCOVERY BRIEF WERE USED BY THE STAFF AND STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO SHAPE THE ORGANIZATION'S 2025-2030 STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH CALLS FOR GROWTH IN OUR CLIENT SERVICES, GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION, AND POLICY WORK AS WELL AS GOALS TO SUPPORT THIS GROWTH. THE NEW BRAND AND ASSOCIATED ASSETS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEAR.
- $1.4 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OPULP'S PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2024-2025THE PENNSYLVANIA UTILITY LAW PROJECT ("PULP") IS A STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICES PROJECT OF REGIONAL HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES AND IS A MEMBER PROGRAM OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGAL AID NETWORK (PLAN). AS THE DESIGNATED SPECIALIZED PROJECT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGAL AID NETWORK FOR UTILITY ISSUES, PULP'S MISSION IS TO SECURE JUST AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO UTILITY SERVICES FOR PENNSYLVANIANS EXPERIENCING POVERTY.PULP'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: REPRESENTING, AS DIRECT COUNSEL OR CO-COUNSEL, QUALIFYING LOW-INCOME RESIDENTIAL UTILITY CUSTOMERS AND CONSUMER GROUPS COMPRISED PRIMARILY OF LOW-INCOME PENNSYLVANIANS AND/OR THAT ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF LOW-INCOME PENNSYLVANIANS. ADVOCATING FOR THE INTERESTS OF LOW-INCOME UTILITY CONSUMERS BEFORE THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION, THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT ADMINISTER PROGRAMS OR HAVE REGULATORY OVERSIGHT ON ENERGY OR UTILITY MATTERS AFFECTING LOW-INCOME PENNSYLVANIANS. PROVIDING EDUCATION, INFORMATION, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT TO SOCIAL, LEGAL, AND HOUSING SERVICE PROVIDERS; NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY GROUPS; LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS; UTILITIES; THE REGULATORY COMMUNITY; AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA.KEY PULP ACCOMPLISHMENTS:IMPACT LITIGATIONIN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, PULP HANDLED 47 HIGH IMPACT CASES INVOLVING COMPLEX REPRESENTATION AND LITIGATION BEFORE THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION. WE COMPLETED AND CLOSED 21 OF THOSE CASES, AND 26 REMAINED IN VARIOUS STAGES OF LITIGATION AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. PULP'S IMPACT LITIGATION IS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING UTILITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING RATES, COLLECTIONS, AND TERMINATIONS, AND EXPANDING UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM FUNDING, ASSISTANCE LEVELS, AND ACCESSIBILITY. THROUGH THIS IMPACT LITIGATION, PULP SECURED MORE THAN $3,000,000 IN ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY HARDSHIP FUND GRANT ASSISTANCE AND LEVERAGED AN ADDITIONAL $16.7 MILLION IN INCREASED FUNDING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING $2.2 MILLION IN ONGOING ANNUAL INVESTMENTS. OUR ADVOCACY ALSO HELPED TO REDUCE PROPOSED UTILITY RATE INCREASES BY $584 MILLION ANNUALLY, SAVING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS EACH YEAR.WHILE DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY, PULP'S IMPACT ADVOCACY RESULTED IN NUMEROUS IMPROVEMENTS TO UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND BENEFITS INCLUDING REDUCTION IN THE APPLICABLE ENERGY BURDEN STANDARDS FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOW INCOME CUSTOMERS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA, IMPROVEMENTS TO ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION IN LOW INCOME RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND ELIMINATION OF BARRIERS TO ENROLLMENT. THESE PROGRAM POLICY REFORMS WILL GENERATE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ADDED RATE RELIEF TO PENNSYLVANIA'S LOW INCOME CONSUMERS. INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIONPULP HANDLED 424 INDIVIDUAL CASES THROUGH ITS EMERGENCY UTILITY HOTLINE. PULP ACHIEVED SUBSTANTIAL SUCCESS FOR CLIENTS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION LEVERAGING APPROXIMATELY $379,154 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO OUR CLIENTS THROUGH CLOSED CASES: PREVENTED TERMINATION OF SERVICE AND/OR ASSISTED WITH RECONNECTION IN 278 CASES. REMOVED BARRIERS TO ENROLLMENT IN UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAMS IN 215 CASES. HELPED CLIENTS TO DEFER APPROXIMATELY $261,936 IN UTILITY DEBT FOR FORGIVENESS OVER TIME. REMOVED APPROXIMATELY $7,751 IN DEBTS FROM CLIENT ACCOUNTS. ELIMINATED $5,941 IN FEES AND SECURITY DEPOSITS ASSOCIATED WITH RECONNECTION. OBTAINED $103,526 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL RELIEF THROUGH GRANT ASSISTANCE, REFUNDS, AND REDUCED DEBT.PULP ALSO REFERRED 394 LOW INCOME PENNSYLVANIANS TO OTHER LEGAL, HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND PROVIDED OVER 44 HOURS OF FREE PRO SE ASSISTANCE TO SELF-REPRESENTED INDIVIDUALS.TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCEPULP HOSTED OR PRESENTED AT 53 TRAININGS, REACHING 2,941 ATTORNEYS, ADVOCATES, REGULATORS, POLICYMAKERS, AND UTILITY PROFESSIONALS ACROSS ALL REGIONS OF THE STATE. WE ADDITIONALLY DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 6,750 PIECES OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL, NOT INCLUDING ELECTRONIC DOWNLOADS. NOTABLE TRAINING EVENTS INCLUDE: 2024-2025 LIHEAP PROGRAM REVIEW- PRESENTED OUR ANNUAL LIHEAP PROGRAM REVIEW WEBINAR, PARTNERING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES. WE BROKE OUR REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION RECORD THAT WE SET IN THE 2023-24 YEAR, REACHING 564 ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS, WITH 875 REGISTRANTS INCLUDING ADVOCATES, ATTORNEYS, REGULATORS, AND UTILITY PROFESSIONALS. ALL WHO REGISTERED RECEIVED ACCESS TO THE RECORDING OF THE WEBINAR AND MATERIALS. DEFENDING AGAINST UTILITY TERMINATIONS: A SPRING PRIMER- PULP PARTNERED WITH THE PA LEGAL AID NETWORK AND COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF HOW TO PREVENT AND ASSIST WITH CLIENT UTILITY TERMINATIONS. WE HAD 66 ATTENDEES AND 95 REGISTRANTS. CHAPTER 14 SUNSET: WHAT'S NEXT FOR UTILITY COLLECTIONS, BILLING, AND TERMINATIONS IN 2025- PULP PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES, PRESENTING ON HOW THE SUNSET OF THE CHAPTER 14 STATUTE WILL IMPACT THE WORK OF UTILITY ADVOCATES. WE HAD A STRONG TURNOUT WITH 108 ATTENDEES AND 168 REGISTRANTS. PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY LAW CONFERENCE- PULP SERVED ON THREE PANELS AT THE PA BAR INSTITUTE'S PUBLIC UTILITY LAW CONFERENCE, FOCUSED ON ELECTRICITY, GAS, AND WATER AFFORDABILITY ISSUES, REACHING NEARLY 200 UTILITY LAWYERS AND POLICY MAKERS ACROSS THE STATE. UTILITY RIGHTS FOR TENANTS: HOUSING EQUALITY SUMMIT- AT THE INVITATION OF THE PA HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION (PHRC), PULP PRESENTED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 ATTENDEES AT PHRC'S HOUSING EQUALITY CONFERENCE ON STATUTES THAT PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF TENANTS TO MAINTAIN UTILITY SERVICE TO THEIR HOMES. IMPACT OF ACCESS TO UTILITIES ON PATIENT HEALTH AND WELL-BEING- PULP PARTNERED WITH TOWER HEALTH, PRESENTING TO 50 ATTENDING ADVOCATES, ON THE INTERSECTION OF HEALTH AND UTILITIES, INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF ENERGY INSECURITY AND OBTAINING MEDICAL CERTIFICATES AND OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS INCLUDING
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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