Pandemic preparedness: When your home is at risk resources

The CDC has issued a temporary halt on evictions until Dec. 31, 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. To qualify, renters must meet certain conditions. Read more.

The CARES assistance programs for Pennsylvania renters and homeowners have been reopened and will be accepting applications until Nov. 4.

Below are links to additional helpful resources to explain steps you should take now if you have fallen or may fall behind on your rent and mortgage payments.


FOR RENTERS


FOR MORTGAGE HOLDERS


NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE?


OTHER INFORMATION TO CONSIDER

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is administering the CARES Rent Relief Program (CARES RRP) in Pennsylvania. According to the PHFA’s program guidelines, renters can secure up to $750 a month, and $4,500 for a period of six months. The funds (first come, first served) are paid directly to landlords. An important caveat: If a landlord chooses to accept the awarded funds, they cannot ask renters for additional rent even if the funds don’t cover the full rent. They also must agree not to evict tenants until 60 days after the final assistance payment.

To qualify for assistance, renters must prove they lost their job or at least 30% of their annual income because of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, annual income can’t exceed the area median family income — approximately $78,000. Married couples must apply jointly, while nonmarried roommates can apply separately (though combined assistance cannot exceed total rent).

https://www.phfa.org/forms/pacares/rental/Cares-Rent-Relief-Program-Guidelines.PDF


RENTERS

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency: CARES Rent Relief Program

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020, helps people hurt economically during the pandemic. In late May 2020, the General Assembly directed $175 million of these CARES dollars to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to provide assistance for struggling renters and homeowners.

PHFA has identified organizations in all 67 counties to process the anticipated large number of rent relief applications. An application and supporting paperwork must be submitted to county organizations for review.

https://www.phfa.org/pacares/rent.aspx

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