Rent Assistance in Pennsylvania

The economic turmoil has caused an increase in the cost of the rent. This heavily impacts low-income earners, particularly single mothers as they have a single-income household. The strain on financed can lead them to compromise their standard of living and eventually fail to sustain their lifestyle. Basic needs are often not catered for and arrears in rental payments tend to accumulate. Single mothers faced with such challenges can benefit from the organizations as well as the rental assistance programs detailed in this article.

Churches and Charities Housing and Rent Assistance

Utility Emergency Service Fund (UESF) has a reputation for the provision of financial stability to families facing housing challenges. This is achieved through a holistic, ‘on the ground’ crisis management system. They engage in discussions with the families to identify the main factors leading to their housing situations and enlighten them on the importance of addressing housing and finances as soon as possible. In conjunction with the City’s Office of Supportive Housing (OSH), they help the families to clear their arrears. This gives the families another chance at obtaining permanent housing hence attaining stability. UESF helps mitigate the joint challenge of poverty and chronic homelessness in the community through monetary help, life skill training, counseling, and support. https://uesfacts.org/

Similarly, the Community Human Services (CHS) also assists destitute individuals and families by ensuring that those in housing crisis don’t lose their homes while the homeless ones obtain proper housing. Their goal is to provide the necessary and required assistance to everyone whether they knocked on their door or were referred to them by someone else. They evaluate what each family requires in terms of assistance and what the objectives and desires for the future are. https://chscorp.org/housing-assistance-programs

Eviction Help and Legal Assistance

North Penn Legal Services (NPLS) provides pro bono legal representation to poor families. To qualify for representation, one has to meet their selection criteria. They choose based on the case type, the family’s total salary, and geographical location. They follow the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. NPLS takes care of all the expenses which may arise due to the legal matter. They represent families on foreclosure cases, unlawful evictions, deposit claims, disputes with landlords due to unpaid rent. https://www.northpennlegal.org/

Shelter Assistance

The Adams County Homeless Shelter is part of the South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) and it provides temporary housing to homeless families. During their short stay at the shelter, the families are tasked with finding affordable houses to live permanently basis. Upon arrival at the permanent house, each individual or family is equipped with adequate support, be it a business idea or job placement which will help them keep the home. Similarly, the Franklin County Homeless Shelter also provides temporary shelter to poverty-stricken families. Their goal is to try to eliminate vagrancy and poverty at all costs. They use the Rapid Rehousing program to quickly find houses for the families in the shelter. They give the families the deposits and the rental money for the first month. These two shelters also follow the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines to identify their recipient families. https://www.sccap.org/

Rental Home Improvement Assistance

Some programs help in financing home improvements, renovations in house repairs, and other domestic advancements. Affordable Housing Centre of Pennsylvania Agency (AHCOPA) gives assistance and counseling to those who want to maintain and refurbish their homes without being indebted to bank loans. https://www.ahcopa.org/

Housing Authority Assistance

The Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) helps community members with housing options. There are multiple programs unique to the situation faced by each family. They help new home buyers to acquire decent properties at reasonable prices. https://phdcphila.org/residents/homebuyers-and-renters/