Lehigh County assistance programs.

Help with paying rent

Additional federal government funds and grants will be sent to the Lehigh Valley area to help families and individuals with paying their rent. If you can demonstrate the need for aid, and can also show that you have the ability to maintain housing stability if you are given short-term or medium-term assistance with utility bill payments or rent then you may be able to qualify for this program.

Almost $2 million dollars will be provided by both the City of Allentown and Lehigh County. The vast majority of the money will be to help pay for utility bills and provide rent and security deposit assistance. Some of the groups distributing the money include The Lehigh County Conference of Churches (Phone (610) 433-6421). There are a total of 11 organizations and charities who will be distributing the free grants.

The Conference of Churches now projects that they will be able to help over twice as many people in need with the additional federal government grants. There will also be some debt counseling programs offered. Continue.

Foreclosure assistance and mediation

Lehigh County has created a program for homeowners. If a home is ever to go into foreclosure, Lehigh County ensures a mediation session will occur. The goal is to get the lender and homeowner to meet to come up with a solution.

Emergency financial assistance and help for bills

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown along with St. Vincent de Paul Society have partnered together to offer several programs for Allentown and Lehigh families. The programs they administer include quality medical care for elder residents, limited financial help for paying bills, rent assistance, clothing, and funds for other bills. Call them at (610) 435-1541.

Mosser Village Family Center, Inc. offers support for residents of east Allentown Pennsylvania. Receive help from this organization, including access to a food and clothing bank, bus tickets and other transportation assistance, metro bus tickets, and other forms of aid. 610) 820-9927.

Free legal advice, including foreclosure assistance

If you are low income and can’t afford an attorney, North Penn Legal Services, Inc. provide a wide variety of legal advice and representation to those who would not otherwise e able to afford an attorney. They help with civic legal cases, and can provide foreclosure, housing, and mortgage help. Also get legal support to prevent an eviction or utility disconnection, landlord/tenant issues, and other cases. Call them at (610) 317-8757.

The Salvation Army of Allentown (phone (610) 432-0129) is a non-profit charity organization that offers low income, the unemployed, and others with help. Get financial help for paying your rent or mortgage, and funds for utility bills.

Help from the Allentown based community action agency

The local non-profit agency, Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. (phone (610) 691-5620) offers low to moderate income people, as well as others who need some support, with several different assistance programs. Their offerings include:

• Debt help - A financial services programs helps people eliminate credit card and other debts. Use a debt management plan, counseling, or other forms of assistance. Click here to find other debt help options.
   
• Foreclosure and mortgage help - Work with a counselor to find options that can save your home from a foreclosure filing. Click here for additional mortgage programs.
   
• Heating, utility, and energy bills - The agency can sign up qualified people for access to many programs, including LIHEAP, PPL WRAP program, FirstEnergy, Pennsylvania state programs, UGI Low Income Usage Reduction Program and the PA Department of Community, WARM program and the federal government funded Economic Development Weatherization Assistance Program.
   
• Employment services - Work with a counselor to both find a job, and improve your career prospects.
   
• Free food - The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. has a partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania. Together they provide thousands of people with free food, groceries, and other supplies.

Grants to prevent evictions

Millions of dollars of federal funds have been provided to Lehigh Valley to help prevent evictions, and to also aid people who may be currently homeless. The funds will help the local economy by providing funds for emergency rent and utility bill payments, and it will go a long way towards helping the newly unemployed avoid eviction or get off the streets and find a home or apartment The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing the federal government funds.

The Lehigh County Conference of Churches ((610) 433-6421) is one of the local organizations that is administering the funding. Money to prevent evictions and homelessness can be used to help those individuals and families that have recently experienced a reduction in income or a job loss and have fallen behind on their rent and/or utilities payments. People can receive up to 18 months of rent help.