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COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance

Asistencia de emergencia para alquiler y servicios públicos

The Lancaster County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is NOT accepting new applications.

Helpline: 717-590-3101

For November and December 2022

  • Any application that does not include documentation to support eligibility by December 31, 2022, will be deemed ineligible and become a “denied” application.
  • For eligible households, rent and utility arrears since March 2020 can be paid.
    • utility arrearages will be accepted through November 1st.
  • Future months of rent assistance will run through December 2022.
  • Hotel stays will no longer be supported starting November 1st. Applicants that were previously approved will continue through their 90-day period of eligibility.

 

Starting January 2023

  • Existing, eligible applicants can receive a maximum of 12 months of assistance since March 2021.
  • Payment of rent arrears will be made for households that document a risk of eviction.
  • Any households who have received at least 6 months of assistance will be required to enroll in case management services to review housing stability.
  • If an eligible household is displaced, eviction court fees, security deposit and first month’s rent can be paid.

 

Bring your paperwork to one of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Locations throughout Lancaster County.

ERAP Program Sites

  • Lancaster County Housing Authority
  • Real Life Community Services
  • Ephrata Area Social Services (EASS)
  • DSAA Mount Joy
  • BASE Inc 
  • Community Action Partnership (CAP)
  • Crispus Attucks
  • Price Elementary
  • Crossnet Ministries
  • The Factory Ministries

This is not a first come first serve program and applications with arrears and eviction notices will be referred for assistance before households with no arrears or threat of eviction.

Income Limits
Appeals
Legal Assistance 1-800-326-9177
Eviction Sample Notices
Check Status
Report Fraud
CareerLink – Lancaster

For Continued Assistance

  1. You need to log in to www.assistancecheck.com, using the username and password that you created in your initial application. If you need help, please call 717-590-3101.
  2. Click “View and Print Documents” (Document Library).  If you don’t have a way to print and scan documents, you can get assistance here: https://www.lchra.com/rent/#locations 
  3. Click “Send Documents” to upload, upload the necessary forms and click submit.
  4. Check your status for updates
  5. Tell your landlord you applied
  6. Application will be reviewed, and eligibility will be determined
  7. Rental assistance check is released to landlord and/or utility provider

Applicants can check their status on the online portal and communicate through “Contact Us” in Assistance Connect. 

Status Definitions:

  • Submitted – If you do not see this status change to Initial/Active within 3 business days please call the helpline.
  • Initial/Active – This means we have successfully received your initial application and you can go to Assistance Connect to start uploading documents.
  • Not Registered – This means you have not activated your account in Assistance Connect.
  • Incomplete Documentation – This means you have not uploaded all of the necessary documents listed on the checklist (Required Forms).
  • Eligibility Determined – This means we have everything and you are eligible for assistance. It may take more than 5 business days to make the payment as information is collected from the Landlord and/or Utility Provider.
  • Approved for Payment – This means a payment is in process or has been released to your Landlord or Utility Provider. Rent is paid Three (3) Months forward depending on number of months of arrears and previous assistance.

 

Eligible Assistance

  • Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance.
  • The payment of existing housing-related arrears that could result in eviction of an eligible household is prioritized.

Eligible Households

  • Households that experienced a COVID-19 pandemic related job or income loss or related expense; and
  • demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
  • have a household income that is 80% or less the Area Median Income (AMI)

Required Forms

Please Submit All Forms and Related Documentation Through your Assistance Connect Account.

Document Checklist

Tenant

Attestation and Certification of COVID Impact – Income Employment and Financial Hardship – Fillable PDF
Authorization for Release of Information – Fillable PDF
Duplication of Assistance Certification Form – Fillable PDF
Statement of Rent and Utility Arrears – Fillable PDF
Self Certification for Continued Assistance – Fillable

Landlord/Owner

Landlord Information Form – Completed by Landlord
Landlord Information Form – Completed by Landlord Fillable

Application Sites and Assistance

 

Denver

Real Life Community Services
240 Main Street, Suite B, Denver, PA 17517
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9am-4pm, Friday, 9am-1pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-336-7797 or chris@reallcs.org

Ephrata

Ephrata Area Social Services (EASS)
227 North State Street, Ephrata, PA 17552
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-733-0345

Lancaster City

BASE Inc (By appointment)
447 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm
Contact: dmartinez@baseinc.org or 717-742-0115

Community Action Partnership (CAP)
601 S. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Bilingual staff able to assist
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am-1pm, 2-4pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-299-7301

Crispus Attucks
407 Howard Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602
Hours: Mondays, 9am-12pm, 1-5pm, Fridays 9am-12pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-394-6604

Price Elementary
615 Fairview Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
Bilingual staff available to assist by appointment
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am-4pm. Evening hours by appointment
To contact: 717-291-6252

LANCASTER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY
28 Penn Square, Suite 100 Lancaster, PA 17603
Monday:  8-11:30 am, 1-4 pm walk-ins and appointment
Tuesday:  8-11:30 am, 1-4 pm walk-ins and appointment
Wednesday:  8-11:30 am by appointment ONLY
Thursday:  8-11:30 am, 1-4 pm walk-ins and appointment
Friday:  8-11:30 am by appointment ONLY
Contact: 717-394-0793

Mount Joy

DSAA
78 East Main St, Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact: 717-492-6624


New Holland

Crossnet Ministries
127 W. Franklin Street, New Holland, PA 17557
Hours: Mondays – Wednesdays, 10am-4pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-355-2454

Paradise

The Factory Ministries
3293 Lincoln Hwy E, Paradise, PA 17562
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm
To contact: 717-687-9594

Income Limits 2021

Household Size1234 5678
50% Area Median Income29,05033,20037,35041,50044,85048,15051,50054,800
80% Area Median Income46,50053,15059,80066,40071,75077,05082,35087,650

Income Limits 2020

Household Size1234 5678
50% Area Median Income27,85031,80035,80039,75042,95046,15049,30052,500
80% Area Median Income44,55050,90057,25063,60068,70073,80078,90084,000

Eviction Notice/Hearing Sample Notices

Notice to Quit Sample
Landlord Tenant Eviction Hearing Notice Sample
Notice to Quit Non-Payment Sample

The Lancaster County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is NOT accepting new applications.

Helpline: 717-590-3101

For November and December 2022

  • Any application that does not include documentation to support eligibility by December 31, 2022, will be deemed ineligible and become a “denied” application.
  • For eligible households, rent and utility arrears since March 2020 can be paid.
    • utility arrearages will be accepted through November 1st.
  • Future months of rent assistance will run through December 2022.
  • Hotel stays will no longer be supported starting November 1st. Applicants that were previously approved will continue through their 90-day period of eligibility.

 

Starting January 2023

  • Existing, eligible applicants can receive a maximum of 12 months of assistance since March 2021.
  • Payment of rent arrears will be made for households that document a risk of eviction.
  • Any households who have received at least 6 months of assistance will be required to enroll in case management services to review housing stability.
  • If an eligible household is displaced, eviction court fees, security deposit and first month’s rent can be paid.

 

Bring your paperwork to one of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Locations throughout Lancaster County.

ERAP Program Sites

  • Lancaster County Housing Authority
  • Real Life Community Services
  • Ephrata Area Social Services (EASS)
  • DSAA Mount Joy
  • BASE Inc 
  • Community Action Partnership (CAP)
  • Crispus Attucks
  • Price Elementary
  • Crossnet Ministries
  • The Factory Ministries

This is not a first come first serve program and applications with arrears and eviction notices will be referred for assistance before households with no arrears or threat of eviction.

Income Limits
Appeals
Legal Assistance 1-800-326-9177
Eviction Sample Notices
Check Status
Report Fraud
CareerLink – Lancaster

For Continued Assistance

  1. You need to log in to www.assistancecheck.com, using the username and password that you created in your initial application. If you need help, please call 717-590-3101.
  2. Click “View and Print Documents” (Document Library).  If you don’t have a way to print and scan documents, you can get assistance here: https://www.lchra.com/rent/#locations 
  3. Click “Send Documents” to upload, upload the necessary forms and click submit.
  4. Check your status for updates
  5. Tell your landlord you applied
  6. Application will be reviewed, and eligibility will be determined
  7. Rental assistance check is released to landlord and/or utility provider

Applicants can check their status on the online portal and communicate through “Contact Us” in Assistance Connect. 

Status Definitions:

  • Submitted – If you do not see this status change to Initial/Active within 3 business days please call the helpline.
  • Initial/Active – This means we have successfully received your initial application and you can go to Assistance Connect to start uploading documents.
  • Not Registered – This means you have not activated your account in Assistance Connect.
  • Incomplete Documentation – This means you have not uploaded all of the necessary documents listed on the checklist (Required Forms).
  • Eligibility Determined – This means we have everything and you are eligible for assistance. It may take more than 5 business days to make the payment as information is collected from the Landlord and/or Utility Provider.
  • Approved for Payment – This means a payment is in process or has been released to your Landlord or Utility Provider. Rent is paid Three (3) Months forward depending on number of months of arrears and previous assistance.

 

Eligible Assistance

  • Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance.
  • The payment of existing housing-related arrears that could result in eviction of an eligible household is prioritized.

Eligible Households

  • Households that experienced a COVID-19 pandemic related job or income loss or related expense; and
  • demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
  • have a household income that is 80% or less the Area Median Income (AMI)

Required Forms

Please Submit All Forms and Related Documentation Through your Assistance Connect Account.

Document Checklist

Tenant

Attestation and Certification of COVID Impact – Income Employment and Financial Hardship – Fillable PDF
Authorization for Release of Information – Fillable PDF
Duplication of Assistance Certification Form – Fillable PDF
Statement of Rent and Utility Arrears – Fillable PDF
Self Certification for Continued Assistance – Fillable

Landlord/Owner

Landlord Information Form – Completed by Landlord
Landlord Information Form – Completed by Landlord Fillable

Application Sites and Assistance

 

Denver

Real Life Community Services
240 Main Street, Suite B, Denver, PA 17517
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9am-4pm, Friday, 9am-1pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-336-7797 or chris@reallcs.org

Ephrata

Ephrata Area Social Services (EASS)
227 North State Street, Ephrata, PA 17552
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-733-0345

Lancaster City

BASE Inc (By appointment)
447 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm
Contact: dmartinez@baseinc.org or 717-742-0115

Community Action Partnership (CAP)
601 S. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Bilingual staff able to assist
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am-1pm, 2-4pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-299-7301

Crispus Attucks
407 Howard Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602
Hours: Mondays, 9am-12pm, 1-5pm, Fridays 9am-12pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-394-6604

Price Elementary
615 Fairview Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
Bilingual staff available to assist by appointment
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am-4pm. Evening hours by appointment
To contact: 717-291-6252

LANCASTER COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY
28 Penn Square, Suite 100 Lancaster, PA 17603
Monday:  8-11:30 am, 1-4 pm walk-ins and appointment
Tuesday:  8-11:30 am, 1-4 pm walk-ins and appointment
Wednesday:  8-11:30 am by appointment ONLY
Thursday:  8-11:30 am, 1-4 pm walk-ins and appointment
Friday:  8-11:30 am by appointment ONLY
Contact: 717-394-0793

Mount Joy

DSAA
78 East Main St, Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact: 717-492-6624


New Holland

Crossnet Ministries
127 W. Franklin Street, New Holland, PA 17557
Hours: Mondays – Wednesdays, 10am-4pm, by appointment
To contact: 717-355-2454

Paradise

The Factory Ministries
3293 Lincoln Hwy E, Paradise, PA 17562
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm
To contact: 717-687-9594

Income Limits 2021

Household Size1234 5678
50% Area Median Income29,05033,20037,35041,50044,85048,15051,50054,800
80% Area Median Income46,50053,15059,80066,40071,75077,05082,35087,650

Income Limits 2020

Household Size1234 5678
50% Area Median Income27,85031,80035,80039,75042,95046,15049,30052,500
80% Area Median Income44,55050,90057,25063,60068,70073,80078,90084,000

Eviction Notice/Hearing Sample Notices

Notice to Quit Sample
Landlord Tenant Eviction Hearing Notice Sample
Notice to Quit Non-Payment Sample

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