emergency rentAL assistance program

This information is for anyone who may be at risk of eviction and if they have been unable to pay their rent during the COVID crisis. This is a statewide program referred to as ERAP.  To learn how to apply please see below. 

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what does the program cover

RENT: Residents may qualify for up to 12 months of rent assistance – to cover past, current and/or future monthly rent payments.

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UTILITIES: Assistance payments will be made for arrearages only (past due amounts), but can include electric, natural gas, water, sewer and trash.

qualifications

To qualify, you must:

1. Be a resident of Lehigh County

2. You must rent your home or apartment

3. Demonstrate a financial impact occured during the COVID-19 pandemic

*Must qualify for unemployment benefits OR experienced a reduction in income OR incurred significant living expenses related to COVID-19 OR experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to COVID-19 that threatens the ability to pay the costs of the rental property or its tenant-paid utilities when due.​

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Household Income Limits for this Program:

1 Person - $45,850

2 Person - $52,400

3 Person - $58,950

4 Person - $65,500

5 Person - $70,750

6 Person - $76,000

7 Person - $81,250

8 Person - $86,500

what you need to apply

You must have the following items to complete the application:

1. An email address to apply and to receive updates regarding your application.

2. Contact information for your landlord: name, phone number and email address

3. Income information to report your household income

4. Most recent utility bills if seeking utility assistance

5. Copy of identification (government issued Photo ID or Driver’s license, passport)

6. Proof of Residence if different from ID

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Your LANDLORD will need to provide the following items:

1. Lease

2. Proof of ownership of property (deed, insurance, taxes, etc.)

3. W-9

4. ACH information for Direct Deposit

5. Documentation of rent owed

For application assistance, please contact

Community Action offices at 610.691.5620.

helpful tips

1. In setting up your account, select an email address that you check frequently so that you may receive status updates in a timely fashion.

2. Write down your log-in information and keep it in a safe place.

3. Be sure to gather all of your documentation (listed above) before starting the application.

4. When uploading documents, review each to ensure it is clear and able to be viewed.

5. Communicate with your landlord and utility companies that you are applying for this assistance.

what happens after you apply?

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• Your completed application will be reviewed by Community Action's team to ensure eligibility as well as a payment amount for assistance, if you qualify.

• You will be notified by email once your application is processed, and whether your application has been approved for payment.

• Your application may take several weeks to process.

• You will not be able to check the status of your application by telephone. 

• You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your account on the portal. 

resources

Northampton County Residents:

• Those who reside in The City of Easton, contact: Project of Easton 610.258.1100 Ext. 13.

• Those who reside in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hellertown, and Lower Saucon Township, contact: New Bethany Ministries 610.691.5602 Ext. 217.

• Those who reside in The City of Easton as well as Glendon, West Easton, Wilson, and Williams Township, contact: Easton Area Neighborhood Center 610.253.4253.

• Those who reside in all other municipalities of Northampton County contact: Third Street Alliance 610.438.1244.

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Monroe County Residents:

• Contact Pocono Mountains United Way at 570.517.3953 or click here. 

Appeals

Appeal requests must be made in writing and forwarded to:

Lehigh County Department of Community and Economic Development

Attention:Heidi Miller

Grants Administrator

17 South 7th Street

Allentown, PA 18101