$300,000 for Pike County Housing Programs

A combination of state funding and local recording fees brings $300,000 to Pike County’s Emergency Safe Housing Assistance Program (ESHAP) & Senior Bridge Rental Assistance Program.

Pike County recently received $150,000 through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund, sometimes referred to as the state Housing Trust Fund, managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

In addition, a $150,000 match will come through the Optional Affordable Housing Funds Act, formerly known as Act 137 of 1992, which allows counties to fund projects and programs to increase the availability and quality of affordable housing through fees charged for the recording of deeds and mortgages.

“This important funding will help to provide much needed services to low-income households in Pike County to prevent homelessness and to attain and maintain housing stability,” according to the Pike County Commissioners.

The Emergency Safe Housing Assistance Program (ESHAP) assists low- to moderate-income households with staying in their home during an emergency financial situation. These funds will be used to pay one-time household rents, back rents, mortgages, provide funding to remove unhealthy barriers to staying in the home, and roof repairs. To apply, call the Pike County Office of Human Services at 570-296-3434.

The Senior Bridge Rental Assistance Program assists low-income households with rental assistance when at least one member of the household is a senior citizen 60 years of age or older. This includes seniors who are rent burdened, moving to new rental housing, or are in the Shared Housing and Resource Exchange (SHARE) program. To apply, call the Pike County Area Agency on Aging at 570-775-5550.