Housing and Homelessness

Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP): Homeowners who are at least three months delinquent on their mortgage may qualify for help. Contact: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency: 1-800-342-2397, www.phfa.org.

Project H.O.M.E.: Housing, medical assistance, education and employment for the homeless.
215-232-7272, www.projecthome.org. For immediate help: 215-232-1984

Office of Emergency Shelter and Services: Provides protective, preventive and referral services to adults and families.

• Women, children and families: 215-686-7150 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), 215-568-5113 (nights and weekends)
• Men: 215-236-0909    www.phila.gov/services/emergency
  
  

Tenant Union Representative Network: Free tenant rights classes, counseling, housing discrimination assistance and tenant union organizing. 215-940-3900, www.rturn.net 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Information on rental help in Pennsylvania, including subsidized apartments, public housing, and housing choice vouchers. http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=pa&topic=renting

Save Your Home Philly: This hotline is the only government-authorized foreclosure prevention program in Philadelphia.  It is staff by trained lawyers and paralegals who can assist you with your case, connect you with a housing counselor or, in certain instances, refer you to legal services available to eligible low-income homeowners.  215-334-4663, www.saveyourhomephilly.org

Regional Housing Legal Services: A nonprofit lawfirm providing individuals with information and resources in a variety of areas including foreclosure prevention, public utility assistance and legal aid.  http://rhls.org

Utility Bills

LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Helps low-income residents pay for gas and electricity.
215-560-1583, www.dpw.state.pa.us/servicesprograms/liheap/

Water Revenue Bureau: Helps low-income residents pay water and sewer bills.
215-686-6880, www.phila.gov/waterrev/Low_Income_Assistanc.html

Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA): Free weatherization and other energy-saving improvements for homeowners and renters who meet income guidelines.
215-448-2160, www.phila.gov/ohcd/homerepairprograms.htm

Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF): Provides emergency assistance for utility bills in shut off status or that have already been terminated.   215-972-5170, www.uesfacts.org