Emergency rental assistance programs
Emergency Assistance in Franklin County helps with rent one time provided by the Franklin County government, charities, and social services. The groups work together to stop homelessness and well as rehouse anyone that needs a place to live. The
financial assistance may include more than just money for paying back rent as there may be legal aid,
security deposit assistance, and much more.
Most of the resources, including ESA grants, are offered out of Chambersburg Pennsylvania. But other
parts of the county also provide support for housing needs.
Main programs include:
- Emergency rent help to stop an eviction from HAP and ESA among others.
- Attorneys offer eviction defense services, mediation, and resolve landlord – tenant disputes.
- The disabled and seniors may get help from PATH housing, which arranges shelter, rent assistance, advice, low income apartments, and much more.
- Homeless prevention and rapid rehousing from Emergency Solution grants or the Franklin County HAP program.
Much more may be arranged too. All support, whether loans, rent help, or anything, is contingent on
the applicant’s income, housing status, and other factors.
Franklin County Homeless Assistance Program (HAP)
533 S Main Street
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201
Phone number is 717-263-5060, and use extension number 321
The focus is on case management, with some grant money for rent. All applicants need to have lived in
the county for 6 months. Any funds, whether for security deposits, lease applications fees, or back rent
from HAP is only for otherwise stable low-income families that are in a crisis.
PATH – Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness Housing Program
Location is 425 Franklin Farm Lane
Chambersburg, PA, 17202
Main number is 717-264-5387
One-time housing, security deposit or rent help is only for people with a mental illness, drug abuse, or disability. Applicants need an income from SSI or a job to qualify.
Churches in Franklin County
Multiple faith-based churches partner together to offer shelter, referrals, rent or utility bill help, food,
and more. Call 1-800-409-6455.
Emergency Assistance in Franklin County, PA
Waynesboro Community & Human Services Emergency Financial Assistance
123 Walnut Street
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania 17268
Dial 717-762-6941
This financial aid and homeless prevention program from WCHS helps with housing expenses. Get help
for rent, heating bills, or first month’s rental costs for moving. They also process applications for the
Dollar Energy Fund.
Franklin County Migrant & Farm Workers – PathStone
450 Cleveland Avenue
Chambersburg, PA, 17201
Phone number is 717-264-2839
Emergency Food and Shelter is only for farm workers as well as migrants to the region. They can get
short term, emergency shelter, mortgage or utility deposit help and more. For those who lease a home,
grants from EFS can help with their rent or moving costs.
Maranatha Ministry, Inc. and Rapid Re-Housing
Main office – 117 West 3rd Street
Waynesboro, PA 17268
717-261-1708
Self-sufficiency is combed with Emergency Assistance aid. Funds may pay for rental and other costs as part
of permanent homes. In addition, security deposits and first months rent assistance is available.
Salvation Army
159 Lincoln Way West
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 17201
Phone – 717-264-6169
Government Help – Emergency Shelter Allowance (ESA) – Franklin
Address is 620 Norland Avenue
Chambersburg, PA, 17201-4205
Main number is 877-289-9177
Mortgagee, foreclosure, rent, and utility bill help is all offered from ESA grants. In addition, ESA can pay
for a motel or hotel room in the county. All the financial aid from Department of Human Services
(whether rent, gas bills or mortgage) is aimed at stopping homelessness or rehousing. Or find additional
programs for emergency rent assistance.
Emergency Assistance in Franklin County, PA
Family Self-Sufficiency and Home Ownership Program
Location is 290 West Washington Street
Chambersburg, PA, 17201
Main number is 717-263-4200 Ext 313
This is only for section 8 housing participants. The goal is to help them buy a home, gain employment,
pay down debt, and ensure they do not miss future rent payments. HCV also offers loans for buying a
home.
Franklin County Legal Services
14 N Main Street
Chambersburg, PA, 17201
Main number is 717-262-2326
Attorneys give free legal advice, representation, and education to low-income individuals with civil legal
problems, including eviction help.
Franklin County Area Agency on Aging
600 Norland Avenue
Chambersburg, PA, 17201
Call 717-263-2153
Only for seniors and the disabled. They can get Information and Referrals to housing, rent, programs,
state of PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate, and more.
Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 – Franklin County Housing Authority (FCHA)
Location is 290 West Washington Street
Chambersburg, PA, 17201
Main number – 717-263-4200 Ext 309
Rent payment subsidies, which are hard to get, are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development to the very low income and families in poverty.
Emergency Assistance For Energy
211 Helpline
This nationwide resource and information helpline will identify programs in your area that may assist you or someone you know with utility bills.
Program Available Year-Round
WARM Program – Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
The WARM Program can help low-income customers lower electric bills and keep their homes more comfortable in the winter and summer months. It is available to homeowners and renters with landlord approval.
The Dollar Energy Fund is an emergency hardship fund designed to help residential customers who have suffered a recent financial hardship and need temporary help in paying their electric bill. Income guidelines apply.
Emergency Assistance Hardship Funds
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through its network of local county assistance offices. LIHEAP provides customers help with paying winter heating bills, and occasionally summer cooling bills. LIHEAP funds may be used to pay an electric bill even if electricity is not the main source of heat. There are household income requirements for this program.