WEST CHESTER, PA — Starting Monday, December 12, Chester County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) relaunches with new eligibility guidelines to support individuals and families facing court-ordered eviction, a utility shutoff, or a need for security deposits to secure permanent affordable housing.
“For those who struggle with the many factors that come with keeping a roof over their heads, this emergency rental assistance program is critically important,” said Dolores Colligan, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development.
“Since the start of ERAP, Chester County has allocated more than $30.5 million for nearly 3,000 households in need of emergency rental and utility assistance, with $13 million remaining to support individuals and families who meet the new guidelines.”
Chester County’s ERPA program was introduced in January 2021, funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury and PA Department of Human Services, to help cover emergency rental and utility bills for those who were severely impacted by the pandemic. Chester County’s Department of Community Development partners with four organizations – Human Services, Inc., Friends Association, Brandywine Valley Active Aging, and Oxford Area Neighborhood Services – to administer and allocate the local funds.
“Even as the American economy continues recovering from the devastating impact of COVID-19, many Chester County residents are still facing deep rental debt and fear of eviction or loss of utility service, leading to the loss of basic housing security,” added Colligan. “Relaunching the Chester County Emergency Rental Assistance Program to support those households with eviction and utility shutoff notices will ensure that the remaining ERAP funds go to the most housing insecure citizens in our community.”
To access Chester County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program:
- Dial 211 or 1-866-964-7922 and follow prompts 2, 2, 2
- Text your zip code to 898-211
- Email info@211sepa.org
- Chat with an agent at https://211sepa.org.
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