Rent and Homeless Assistance

Find out more about rental and homeless assistance here.

Rent assistance in Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, Franklin, and Adams counties. Homeless assistance in Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, Franklin, and Adams counties.

"Was I always going to be here? No, I was not. I was going to be homeless at one time, a taxi driver, truck driver, or any kind of job that would get me a crust of bread. You never know what’s going to happen."

- Morgan Freeman

Life happens and sometimes circumstance drops you in a puddle, more like an ocean of challenges. You are not alone, nor the first. Our agency strives to help those who have fallen on hard times. No one deserves to be without a home, threatened with homelessness, or overburdened with housing costs! Our programs can help!

If you are facing housing cost challenges, need rent assistance, are experiencing homelessness, or you are currently homeless, we have resources to help you. We offer rental assistance, rapid rehousing, security deposit assistance, rental arrears, utility arrears, homelessness prevention, homelessness assistance, and utility assistance.

Programs offered here

Emergency Solutions Grant

Available in Bedford, Fulton, Juniata, Mifflin, and Huntingdon counties.

Homeless Assistance Program (HAP)

Available in Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon counties.

Continuum of Care (COC)

Available in Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon counties.

South-central Continuum of Care (SCOC)

Available in Bedford, Huntingdon, Fulton, Adams, and Franklin counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HAP (Homeless Assistance) program?

Our Homeless Assistance Program is a homeless prevention program. If you are facing housing cost challenges, or need rental assistance, we have resources to help you. We offer rental assistance, security deposit assistance, rental arrears, utility arrears, homelessness prevention, and utility assistance.

What are utility arrears?

If one or more payments have been missed where regular payments are contractually required, such as rent payments and utility bills, the account is in arrears. Payments that are made at the end of a period are also said to be in arrears. Shut-off notice is required to be eligible.

What are rent arrears?

If your rent is not paid, the money owed is called ‘rent arrears’. Rent arrears are ‘priority debts’, which means the consequences of not dealing with them are serious – there is a risk of eviction. Eviction notice is required to be eligible.

What is rental assistance?

Rental assistance helps you continue making your monthly rent payment.

Who is eligible for the homeless assistance program?

• Bedford county residents at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Huntingdon county residents at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Fulton county residents at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

What is Continuum of Care?

COC helps families with children who are literally homeless. We can provide first month’s rent, utilities, security deposit, and additional rent.

What is South Central Continuum of Care?

SCOC helps any individual or family who is literally homeless. The same assistance offered through COC is available.

What is the Emergency Solutions Grant?

ESG is broken down into two sections:

1. Rapid-Rehousing – This will help any family or individual who is literally homeless.
2. Homeless Prevention – You must have a shut-off notice or eviction notice and at or under 30% average median income. We can assist any arrears you may have if you meet these requirements.