Pennsylvania Emergency Rental Assistance Program Low-Income – Pennsylvania, like other states in the United States of America, has witnessed drastic changes in the rental market due to economic disruption caused by the pandemic. With low-income tenants struggling to pay their rent on time and landlords struggling to balance their finances, the federal government has designed the emergency rental assistance program ERAP to solve the challenges of economic insecurities and provide utility and rental assistance to low-income households. apart from the emergency rental assistance program there and many other programs that have been designed to provide a financial lifeline to those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Highlights of this Post
How To Apply For Rental Assistance Program In Pennsylvania?
Following are the general steps that individuals need to follow while applying for the Pennsylvania rental assistance program.
- Visit the official website for the particular rental assistance program to which you are applying and download the application form
- Fill out the application form honestly and accurately
- Submit relevant documents along with your application to prove your financial constraints. Documents like pay stubs, bank statements, Pay cut notifications, and termination letters will help to demonstrate your income ability.
- You can also attach a rent invoice as evidence of the amount you pay for rent while requesting future rent payments. Include rent in arrears and eviction notice if you’re at risk of rental delinquency and homelessness.
- Few organizations will perform a face-to-face or phone interview to do a follow-up screening process. This process is done to make sure applicants who are in urgent need of rental assistance can qualify for.
- Once the entire process is completed the candidate receives financial support equivalent to their monthly rent, mortgage payment, rent in arrears or the equivalent of the maximum financial aid of the organization whichever is lower.
Eligibility Criteria And Documents Required To Apply For Pennsylvania Rental Assistance Program
Pennsylvania residents who belong to the low-income category and are unable to pay their rent or utilities due to financial constraints can apply for tons of rental assistance programs.
The eligibility criteria and the application procedure for every program may differ depending on the type of program you are applying to and your personal and financial situation. The general eligibility criteria require the following situation.
- Must meet the citizenship and residency criteria. In other words, candidates need to prove they are citizens of the United States, permanent residents of Pennsylvania or are qualified non-citizen
- Must meet the income restriction of the program. Household income must not exceed 80% of the area median income to qualify
- Have one or more family members who are at risk of housing instability or homelessness
- Must prove one or more household members is experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic or decreased income or increased housing cost. You also need to give proof that any household member is receiving government unemployment benefits.
Pennsylvania’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program is provided to those who belong to the low-income category and are at risk of homelessness or eviction. Once you meet the eligibility criteria the next step is to arrange and submit relevant documents to the authorities which requires the following:
- Personal identification documents such as passport, state-issued driver’s license or ID photos
- Proof of income in the form of pay stubs, direct deposit records, letters from employers, wage statements, tax filing
- Documents attesting rent as well as past due amount
- Proof of income for all the household members who have attained the age of 18
- Verification of an earned income source for instance unemployment benefits
- Documents attesting to utility bills past due amount.
Read also: Atlanta Emergency Rent Assistance Programs Low Income
What Are The Available Pennsylvania Rental Assistance Programs for Low-Income People?
Pennsylvania Emergency Rental Assistance Program ERAP
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Pennsylvania was established to address the economic challenges caused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide housing stability to low-income renters and to safeguard the financial interest of landlords who are earning revenue losses.
The program is fueled by funding from the federal government in different phases for instance ERAP1 and ERAP2.
The ERA P1 phase provided rent and utility assistance to people for up to 12 months and ended 30th September 2022 in the state of Pennsylvania while the ERAP2 phase application portal is still active through Compass and addresses the persistent need for rental assistance for households who are facing housing instability.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Rental Assistance Program is only not a financial lifeline for low-income renters but a game changer for property managers and landlords as well.
Pennsylvania Homeless assistance Program (HAP)
Are you on the verge of losing shelter? Or perhaps, if you have been evicted from your previous home and now have nowhere to go. The Pennsylvania Homeless Assistance Program helps to assure that homelessness can be avoided; people who are homeless can find refuge and near homeless clients are assisted in moving toward self-sufficiency.
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare governs HAP Pennsylvania state program. It is determined to help the renters who face the risk of being evicted. Following are the specific housing services that are available from the program.
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Free Tenant Mediation
The Pennsylvania homeless assistance program acts as a mediator between tenants and landlords. Case managers of the program work hard with the landlord to mediate the situation and enable people to remain in their homes or apartments.
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Long Term Financial Help
Pennsylvania homeless assistance program assesses qualified individuals with long-term housing payments for instance rent, utilities moving constant security deposits. Your county HP provider will coordinate supportive services with you and your landlord.
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Moving Costs And Rehousing Assistance
Qualified individuals who are unable to afford homes or apartments will get assistance from HP case managers to find affordable apartments in their local area. The program assists people to move out of their transitional housing or shelter into a safe and affordable apartment.
Community Progress Council Rental Assistance Program
Community Progress Council, Pennsylvania provides rental assistance to renters who need financial help with their rent and other bills. It is an emergency housing initiative that exists to help prevent families from becoming homeless.
The clients may apply for any kind of financial assistance like if it’s his/ her first month’s rent, security deposit, or rent delinquencies. $1000 will be provided to the households with children in them while the houses without children will receive financial assistance of $750 within 24 months.
Besides this, renters can receive funds for security deposit, rental delinquencies and first month’s rent when moving to a new location. If you apply for the rental assistance program, you need to wait for approval before receiving any kind of financial help. You need to provide all the documents requested in the application and the proof of why you cannot meet your rental requirements. To learn more visit yorkcpc.org.
Public Housing Program
The HUD-sponsored public housing program is managed and administered by a local housing agency in the state of Pennsylvania. The housing agency not only owns but also manages a lot of public housing units including apartments and single-family homes.
The Pennsylvania Housing Agency sets the eligibility criteria of participants and the exact amount candidates can receive to pay their rent for public housing. The public housing program covers single mothers, disabled individuals, senior citizens, low-income individuals and community families.
Pennsylvania Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Individuals and families belonging to low or moderate-income groups or those living in poverty can receive rental subsidized homes from the Section 8 housing choice voucher program.
The federal United States government is working with public housing authorities in the state of Pennsylvania to provide income-based apartments in emergency Section 8 homes to needy individuals who wre unable to afford rent payments because of financial constraints.
Eligible Pennsylvania residents have to pay 30% to 40% of their income towards monthly rent while the difference will be covered by HUD. The objective of the HCV Government Grants for Struggling Families is to provide rental support to low-income families so that they can access decent, safe and affordable housing.
Pennsylvania Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program is a popular welfare program that is designed for extremely low or low-income residents of Pennsylvania and assists with financial support on a time-limited basis.
The financial assistance received through this program enables people to cover their basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, housing expenses, childcare, and transportation.
Low-income parents who need care support on a short-term basis to cover their rent payments need to file an online application to receive TANF benefits.
In some cases, participants need to sign an agreement stating they are ready to engage in job activities or training programs that would lead to employment.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Even though the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program does not assist individuals and families in Pennsylvania with rental support, the program enables people to reduce their housing burden by paying for their utility and warm energy bills. The weather in Pennsylvania is quite harsh and households require huge energy consumption.
Low-income individuals who are unable to pay their utility bills and are going through financial hardship can apply for the program to stay cool in the hot summer months and warm during the harsh winter months.
Supportive Services For Veteran Families
The US Department of Veterans Affairs funds the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program and assists low-income veterans and their family members with a plethora of services so that they can improve their housing stability and eliminate homelessness.
The services include housing counseling, case management, budgeting, temporary financial assistance, rental assistance, employment resources, and this distance with public benefits. The program serves Adams, Lebanon, Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Perry and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.
Emergency Solution Grants
The HUD sponsored Emergency Solution Grant offers rental assistance to needy families throughout the USA including the state of pennsylvania. Individuals of all age, income and race receive housing assistance and rental support through this program.
USDA Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance
The USDA Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance Program offers housing preservation grants to provide financial assistance to rural communities in the USA and enable them to improve and modernize the quality of housing units and multi-unit rental standards. Individuals in need of rental assistance in Pennsylvania can visit the official USDA website to learn more.
Organization And Other Resources That Provide Rental Assistance Program For Low-Income People In Pennsylvania
Housing Alliance Of Pennsylvania
The Housing Alliance Of Pennsylvania is a statewide coalition that offers important resources to make sure low-income Pennsylvanians can access decent, affordable and safe homes.
Even though it does not provide rental assistance or direct housing help to individuals but has compiled resources and referrals that assist them in their search for a safe and accountable rental apartment or home.
GECAC Community Actions Housing And Rental Assistance Program
The housing and rental assistance program by GECAC Community Action offers housing assistance to thousands of families every year who are facing homelessness or at risk of eviction or becoming homeless.
The housing assistance program provides emergency relief for rental payments for eligible households experiencing a financial crisis that has impacted their health, safety and housing. The services are offered to every city and county resident. Homeless individuals and households in the city and county of Pennsylvania get assistance with the first month’s rent and security deposit.
Financial assistance of up to $750 per year is provided for families while assistance of up to $500 is provided per single individual. The maximum assistance that you can receive through this program depends on your personal and financial situation.
Pennsylvania 211
The helpline number Pennsylvania 211 assists low-income families and individuals with everything from rent or utility assistance to housing help, after-school programs for children and many more.
You just need to text your zip code or simply dial 211 to talk to a specialist completely free. A specialist of the Pennsylvania 211 helpline will address your needs and provide you with referrals and programs within your community that can be of great help.
PA Link To Community Care
The website PA Link to Community Care is designed for low-income households with seniors and disabilities so that they can find information and references that can connect them to services and support programs in their community. You can dial 1-800-753-8827 or visit the official link of PA link to community care to access rental assistance programs in your area
COMPASS
An online tool designed for Pennsylvanians known as COMPASS provides residents access to human services and health programs. You can visit the official website if you’re looking for a rental assistance program in your local area.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network provides free legal assistance to needy Pennsylvanians who are going through housing instability, housing discrimination or any other legal programs across the state.
The network assists low-income Pennsylvanians with information about their legal rights and provides them with useful remedies.
Candidates who are facing rental eviction can solve their disputes by visiting the official website. The network comprises eight legal aid programs that provide low-income clients assistance in every county in Pennsylvania.
Catholic Charities
A national nonprofit organization working throughout the United States of America including Pennsylvania is the Catholic Charities which offers low-income individuals and families rent and utility assistance.
Apart from rental support candidates can also receive pregnancy help, childcare support, transportation assistance, safe and secure shelter, counseling, food assistance and many more services.
The Catholic Charities USA is running 8 local agencies in the state of Pennsylvania to provide emergency shelters for the homeless population, rental assistance and transitional housing for low-income populations.
Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania And Delaware
One of the biggest global nonprofit organizations working for the United States of America is the Salvation Army which offers a plethora of supportive programs and rental assistance in every state and the state of Pennsylvania is no exception.
A few popular services and programs that the Salvation Army offers to needy Pennsylvanians are Empower Special Adults, Give A Try To Home, Hope To Families etc. Low-income families can apply for assistance from the Salvation Army and receive housing and rental support
Bridge Of Hope
The nonprofit organization Bridge of Hope comprises 7 affiliates throughout Pennsylvania and assists people who are navigating eviction or homelessness or are at risk of getting evicted.
Homeless assistance by the organization is for needy individuals to get stable employment and obtain permanent housing for their family members and children.
Homeless families and poor households who are at risk of foreclosure or homelessness receive financial support and rental assistance from the organization.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
A local organization in the state of Pennsylvania known as the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides safe and affordable housing to low-income families or those who are in economic need and are unable to afford safe housing for themselves.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides rental assistance and mortgage programs to benefit needy residents. If you are facing forced eviction and are falling back on your rent payments you can contact the organization and learn about the availability of housing programs near you.
Safe At Home By Bethlehem Haven Of Pittsburgh Inc.
The housing assistance program Safe at Home is designed by Bethlehem Haven of Pittsburgh Inc. which provides homeless women with safe and affordable housing.
Low-income women including single moms who are unable to pay for their rent and in need of cash assistance to deal with their housing instability and financial crisis can apply for assistance from this organization.
The organization aims that every woman who is going through financial hardship can access decent, safe and affordable housing to live securely with their children and family members.
Pennridge Fish Organization Inc.
A charitable nonprofit organization in the state of Pennsylvania known as Penridge Fish Organization assists people with several supportive services in the form of clothing outlets, food pantries, financial aid for security deposits, rent and utility help etc.
Lighthouse Foundation
Low-income Pennsylvanians who need financial assistance temporarily to cover their rent and utility bills can apply for the emergency financial assistance program funded by the Lighthouse Foundation.
Financial assistance is available for families who are going through financial hardship or housing instability and in need of temporary assistance to attend to self-sufficiency
Easton Area Neighborhood Center In Pennsylvania
Eastern Area Neighborhood Center is a community organization in Eastern Pennsylvania that offers low-income individuals and families supportive programs and services in times of their need for survival. The services include rent assistance, utility help, community food banks and transitional shelters for people navigating homelessness.
Rescue Relief For Senior Citizen
Financial assistance and housing help are provided to low-income senior citizens by the organization Rescue Relief for Senior Citizens in Philadelphia PA and the neighboring 5 counties.
Senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable populations who need financial assistance to make ends meet. The organization helps low-income elderly people in Philadelphia PA with rent, utilities, clothing, medications and food.
Conclusion
The state of Pennsylvania realizes that safe and affordable housing is a key component for families to achieve self-sufficiency. This is the reason why the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, a local nonprofit organization, the Department of Public Welfare and many other charities provide a plethora of rental programs for low-income families and individuals who are at risk of homelessness or facing eviction. Churches, local nonprofits or government agencies, and county-serving agencies arrange rental services for people who are going through financial constraints and unable to pay their rent on time.
Read also: Texas Emergency rental assistance That help Paying Rent
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Pennsylvania Emergency Rental Assistance Program?
The Pennsylvania rental assistance program is provided to those who are facing income cuts from their employer due to financial hardships or because of unemployment. Besides rental assistance the program also helped with mortgage payments up to $1000 for a maximum six-month duration. The program assists seniors, disabled individuals and young adults with medical bills as well including those who are unable to pay for their rent.
How to apply for Rental assistance in Pennsylvania?
Applicants must submit their names, identification, proof of financial constraint, current address, monthly rent or mortgage payments, rent or mortgage arrears and members in the household in the required application form. Applicants with early entries have a higher chance of being reviewed. Applications given after the deadlines are never approved.