Mercer County Pennsylvania assistance programs.
Find agencies, organizations, and ways to get help with bills and expenses
There are several places that local families can turn to if they are struggling or need help. Options that are available include Community Action Partnership of Mercer County and also the County Housing Authority. Some of the programs they offer include rental assistance, debt help, grants for energy bills, and many others.
Prevent an eviction
The County Housing Authority has received federal government stimulus funds and they offer the homelessness prevention and rehousing program. They have started taking clients for the aid.
The program provides many types of support and resources to people in need. It will involve long-term guidance from a housing counselor, budgeting assistance, help with debt, and assistance removing problems that could endanger housing down the road. So services are focused on budgeting and improved financial literacy. Click more help with debt.
The homelessness prevention and rehousing program grant program allows the housing authority to provide money toward paying for rent and utility bills for up to 18 months. Contact the housing authority at (724) 342-4004.
The Community Action Partnership of Mercer County offers other resources. They include those listed below.
Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund
If you are facing a disconnection of your service, this is a voluntary assistance program that was designed to provide utility and heating bill assistance to qualifying families and individuals who require help to prevent disconnection of a utility service, to purchase any type of heating fuel or oil, to pay overdue bills for any energy source, or to repair or replace heating equipment, such as a furnace.
Heating/Water Heating Replacement or Repair Program
The agency can coordinate with other organizations and together they will oversee the repair and/or replacement of faulty, hazardous or non-working primary water or heating equipment. This is repair and replacement program only available for National Fuel Gas customers who have an active account using natural gas as the primary heating source.
$1 Energy Fund
Another option for people struggling with heating and utility bills is the one dollar energy fund. The can provide energy and heating bill assistance as well as other aid to individuals and families who are experiencing difficulty with their paying for their utility service. The applicants to the program must have paid at least $150 on their utility account during the last 90 days. The eligibility for seniors is slightly different. They must have paid at least only $100 during the last 90 days on their bill.
Mercer County foreclosure and housing counseling
They offer various options to help keep people in their homes and apartments. Counseling services offered to clients include those noted below.
- Foreclosure Counseling and Assistance
- Homebuyer Education
- Budget Counseling
- Debt reduction and assistance. Read help with credit cards.
- Credit Recovery and Repair
- Rental Housing Counseling
- Rent Assistance
- Loss Mitigation
The state of Pennsylvania also has various mortgage and foreclosure assistance programs. Learn more on your options.
Rural housing repair loan program
Last, but not least, the Community Action Partnership of Mercer County offers low interest loans to local families. Their program is a very low 1% loan that is offered to homeowners who meet low income guidelines and regulations. This low interest loan can be used to modernize, improve, and also remove health and safety hazards from peoples homes.
Stop by the Community Action Partnership of Mercer County at 75 S. Dock Street in Sharon, or call them at (724) 342-6222. They offer the assistance programs noted above, and can also refer people to other local agencies and organizations. Read more Community Action Partnership of Mercer County.
Additional emergency help
The local Salvation Army is part of the region wide network. They often work with the non-profit community action agency (above) and local churches, charities, and others. Together there may be free food from a pantry, financial help (including loans) for paying rent, security deposits, or utilities, shelter and more.
The office is in Sharon. The resources are limited, and often depend on the sale of goods from the thrift store as well as the Red Kettle campaign. The store may also have school supplies and toys for Christmas, among other resources. More Salvation Army Mercer County programs.
|
