Northampton County assistance programs.

Mortgage and foreclosure assistance
A new program was created to help struggling families keep their homes. The Northampton County Foreclosure Diversion Program was created in May to assist homeowners who are facing a foreclosure filing by in effect forcing their banks and lenders to meet with the homeowner in court-sponsored hearings in order to try find a solution that works for both parties.

Recently, Northampton County released detailed statistics that show that nearly half of those people who have been seeking help with their mortgage have far reached agreements to stay in their homes, won still more time to find a solution., or had any lawsuits or foreclosure filings against them withdrawn.

The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, which pushed for the program, manages it, and works closely with homeowners to negotiate with their lenders and provide relief.

The Northampton County Court program will help ensure lenders come to the table and that they do everything they can to reach a deal to cut a homeowners payments. Find additional ways to get mortgage help.

Energy bill assistance
The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley also offers ways for people to get help with energy and heating bills. One program they offer is the PPL OnTrack program, which will allow the payment of only a portion of a household's electric or heating bills and also gives a reduction of past debt owed in exchange for consistent monthly payments by program participants.

Some other ways to get aid include Residential Weatherization Services, Energy Assistance Services, and also the federal government sponsored Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis Program.

Contact the agency at 1337 East Fifth Street (corner of Fifth and William Streets), Bethlehem, PA 18015, phone number  610.691.5620, for more information or to apply to any of these programs.

Emergency rent, heating and utility bill assistance

Catholic Charities, which can be reached at (908) 454-9871, is administering and distributing federal government funds. The funds can be used to help people pay for their rent, heating or energy bills. The cash grants, when combined with career or other counseling, even credit card counseling, are intended to help individuals and families return to self-sufficiency. People who are facing eviction can receive up to 6 months of rent help, while if someone is currently homeless they can receive up to 18 months of assistance.

The money is targeted at those people facing a short term hardship, and is not intended to be a charity program. The money to prevent homelessness can be used to help families that have recently experienced job losses and can also help those that have fallen dangerously behind on rent and utilities payments. Rent payments made will go go directly to landlords and not the tenant.