Rental Help: Pennsylvania (2024)

FAQs

Is rental assistance still available in PA? ›

ERAP2 is currently taking applications. Pennsylvanians can apply online through COMPASS.

Dollar Energy Fund's Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants to FirstEnergy customers that are applied directly to their utility bill. Funding is available on a first come, first serve basis and eligibility requirements vary based on the utility company.

Rental, utility and other expenses related to housing, separately or when combined, can be made only for up to 12 months plus an additional three months, if necessary, to ensure housing stability for the household, subject to the availability of funds.

Homeless Assistance Program Services Available:

Rental Assistance: If you are in danger of being evicted from your apartment or home, your county may be able to assist you with payments for rent, mortgage, security deposits and utilities.

The household's annual income must be equal to or less than 80 percent of the AMI for their county. You can find the income limits for your county by visiting the DHS website. Your resources (like bank accounts and cars) will not be considered when you apply for ERAP.

Note that ERAP1 ended September 30, 2022 in Pennsylvania. ERAP2's application portal is still active through COMPASS. For those in counties that do not use COMPASS, you should reach out to your local ERAP agency contact.

The maximum housing assistance is generally the lesser of the payment standard minus 30% of the family's monthly adjusted income or the gross rent for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.

Eligibility is determined by income and family size. Approximately 1-2 year waiting list.

The Pennsylvania State Grant is paid in part or in whole by the Commonwealth and is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to undergraduate Pennsylvania residents who demonstrate high financial need. Grants are considered “gift aid”, meaning they don't need to be re-paid.

What qualifies for hardship? ›

PURPOSE: The Purpose of the HOP-MF Preservation Initiative is to provide funding to rehabilitate properties on a non-emergency basis with the goal to (1) create/extend the affordability period and (2) make sufficient repairs to the property to ensure the stability of the building through the affordability period.

The most common reason for eviction is failing to pay rent on time. A landlord may evict renters for nonpayment of rent. Rent in Pennsylvania is considered late a day past its due. Before a landlord can start filing an eviction, the landlord must give the tenant a 10-Day Notice to Quit.

Talk to Your Landlord

You may be able to come to an agreement without going to court. An eviction will cost both of you money (as well as time), and your landlord may be willing to stop the eviction if you agree to certain terms, such as paying rent you owe or stopping behavior that violates the lease.

PHL Rent Assist is now closed. Landlords can visit Eviction-Diversion.Phila.gov to apply to participate in the Eviction Diversion Program. Tenants can learn about their rights and responsibilities at www.phillytenant.org.

As of January 20, 2023 Phase 4 of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is closed. Please note: All applications at PHL Rent Assist are now closed for resubmission, review, and payment. Our Help Desk staff will remain available to answer questions about the following: Outstanding Payments.

You can make a claim for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). A DHP is a single payment from your local council to help pay your rent. Your local council will decide whether to give you a DHP based on your circ*mstances. Ask your local council for a claim form.