Housing Access

Housing Access2023-08-07T17:39:38+00:00

Housing Goals

  1. Collaborate with community partners and housing providers to increase awareness of housing assistance resources in Cambria and Somerset counties and co-host Annual Housing Symposium for Cambria and Somerset counties.
  2. Expand access to community resources for residents living in affordable housing communities.
  3. Increase number of housing pathways that Community Care HUB community health workers are able to close with their participants (a housing pathway is closed when a household has maintained safe and stable housing for at least 30 days).

Housing Resources for Cambria and Somerset Counties

Call 2-1-1 first for anyone in need of immediate housing assistance. Individuals must have their name registered with 2-1-1 to be eligible for many housing programs. If client is in Somerset County, you can also call Tableland Services, Inc. to be placed on By Names List: 814-445-9628 x254

Phone: 814-421-7311
Website: www.breakingthebarrierscc.org

  • Nonprofit agency providing up to 15 furnished transitional housing units for individuals and families in Cambria County
  • Qualifying individuals are homeless and face barriers related to mental health, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and those with a criminal background
  • Upon acceptance, coordinators will work with individuals 18+ who are enrolled with Health Choices to connect them to needed resources and services in the community and help to obtain permanent supportive housing in the county
  • Community Based Care Management – Assist members in maintaining their current housing, avoiding homelessness, aid in obtaining appropriate stable housing, address Social Determinants of Health insecurities to impact physical and behavioral health outcomes, and secure necessary services needed

Phone: 814-533-2491
Email: c-cambriac@pa.gov

Emergency Shelter Allowance – Funding from Department of Human Services primarily for families with children who are experiencing eviction and/or  homelessness and need to secure permanent housing. Grants up to $400 (depending on household makeup). Can supplement other available assistance or resources. Recipients must show ability to pay future rent. Payer of last resort. Apply through Cambria County Assistance Office, Somerset County Assistance Office, or the statewide customer service center at 877-395-8930

Phone: 814-443-3681
Email: c-somerset@pa.gov

Emergency Shelter Allowance – Funding from Department of Human Services primarily for families with children who are experiencing eviction and/or  homelessness and need to secure permanent housing. Grants up to $400 (depending on household makeup). Can supplement other available assistance or resources. Recipients must show ability to pay future rent. Payer of last resort. Apply through Cambria County Assistance Office, Somerset County Assistance Office, or the statewide customer service center at 877-395-8930

Phone: 814-535-8531
Website: https://www.cambriacountypa.gov/behavioral-health/

  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) – Tenant-based program that assists housing insecurity as a direct or indirect result of Covid. Up to 12 months arrears + 3 additional months. No diagnostic criteria. Apply on Compass site, or can assist w/ application

Phone: 814-536-9031
Website: https://www.capcc.us/

  • Housing Assistance Program (HAP) –This program pays up to $1,000 ($1,500 for families with children under the age of 18) to prevent eviction or first month’s rent if they are homeless for individuals under 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Need move-in letter or notarized eviction letter from landlord, applied for Emergency Shelter Allowance, letter of determination from DHS, proof of income, photo ID, Birthdates, and Social Security Cards for all household members.
  • Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) – program will help literally homeless* eligible clients with a security deposit and up to 6 months of rental assistance to maintain stable housing. Requirements include being registered w/ 211, at or below the 30% AMI, literally homeless (ESG definition) residing within a local emergency shelter, or fleeing domestic violence.

Phone: 814-619-4493
Website: http://gjlandlords.com/

  • Bridge Housing – Provides rental assistance for up to 1 year for consumers who can be self-sustaining within 12 months. Requirements: homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Consumers find appropriate housing and the program pays all or part of rent.
  • Cambria County Comprehensive Housing – Permanent supportive housing program similar to Section 8. Requirements: health barrier determined by Cambria County Behavioral Health. Consumer finds appropriate housing, and the program pays all or part of rent.
  • Clearinghouse – Provides list of landlords to call about Housing, informal landlord/tenant conflict resolution and non-legal advice. Contact 814-619-4493

Phone: 814-629-5147

  • Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8 Housing – provides rental subsidy to 91 individuals throughout Somerset County and is designed to provide applicants an opportunity to choose housing on the open market from private landlords who participate in the program.
  • Public Housing Program – Three complexes designed for low-income families and individuals. Two complexes located in Boswell (121 units) and one complex located in Windber (100 units). They are all classified family units.

Phone: 814-535-7771
Website: http://www.jhaonline.org/

  • Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8 Housing – provides rental subsidy to 953 very low income and extremely low-income families and individuals throughout Cambria County. The program is designed to provide applicants an opportunity to choose housing on the open market from private landlords who participate in the program
  • Public Housing Program – provides housing to low-income, very low income, and extremely low-income individuals and families. Eleven complexes designated for low-income families and individuals; Four complexes designated for the elderly, disabled, or handicapped.

Phone: 814-254-4413
Website: https://catholiccharitiesaj.org/services/homeless-shelter-program

Homeless shelter providing shelter for up to 30 days for individuals or families. Shelter provides case managers, internet access, transportation and a physical address for individuals. Requirements: resident of Cambria County for 90 days prior to admission, 18 years of age, homeless, no history of violent or sexual offenses, physically and mentally stable, and no substance use or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.

Phone: 814-444-8588
Website: http://www.nextstepcenter.org/

  • Community Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) – includes General Assistance Program, homeless outreach, housing services, and landlord engagement. Requirements: Homeless individuals who are at-risk of losing housing or literally homeless.* Interested individuals are asked to complete a 211 or By Name List (BNL) assessment. If clients are not eligible to be put on BNL or are only eligible for prevention services, they are to complete a mediation assessment with one of Next Step’s intake workers.
  • Shelter – stays for Somerset County residents are for 30 days. Takes 2 years to be eligible again for the shelter. Guests are expected to do the work they need to do to find more permanent housing and to find employment if they are capable of working. Guests are also responsible for completing chores around the house daily and following rules. Staff and volunteers offer guidance for guests and make referrals to other local agencies that may be able to help in specific situations.
  • Transitions Evening Shelter Care workshops – area volunteers from hospitals, banks, recovery & mental health support, etc. provide workshops with information and assistance when needed (i.e. budgeting, employment, health). Daily one-on-one case management is also provided to ensure all goals are being met in a timely manner during their stay.

Phone: 814-539-2724
Website: https://www.pendropincenter.org/
Address: 514 Somerset St, Johnstown

Drop-In Center open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through  Friday, with evening and weekend hours posted on our calendar each month. Provides a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for individuals (18+) living with and recovering from a mental health issue. The Center provides an atmosphere of acceptance where individuals feel needed and grow in self-worth, dignity and self-respect.

Phone: 215-878-5600
Website: https://www.inglis.org/programs-and-services/inglis-community-services/self-determination-housing-of-pennsylvania-sdhp

  • Regional Housing Coordinator Program – Coordinators partner with stakeholders in an assigned area to bridge the information gap between the housing and disability systems. This involves being at the table for housing discussions as well as providing technical assistance when housing issues arise. The RHC program also provides a variety of free housing-related webinars quarterly for service providers. For more information, contact SDHPInfo@inglis.org
  • 811 PRA – SDHP acts as the statewide 811 Project Rental Assistance Waitlist administrator. 811 PRA is for individuals who are extremely low income with disabilities. It is a referral based program in which individuals apply to the waitlist and are referred to the property as openings occur. In Cambria County there is one property, Crossroads Meadow, in Ebensburg. For more information, contact SDHP811@inglis.org
  • Keystone Communities Program/PA Accessible Housing Grant provides home modifications for eligible individuals with disabilities so that they can  remain independent in their homes. For more information, contact Beth at Beth.McKeown@inglis.org

Phone: 814-445-9628
Website: http://www.capfsc.org/

  • CES Access Site and Street Outreach – All potential individuals and families will be prescreened through the CES (Coordinated Entry System) process for all available housing interventions, encouraged to participate via 211 or the designated CES Access Site, and encouraged to participate in a Vi-SPDAT survey which will triage housing services and programs based upon the level of need. Level of need ranked based upon critical components such as
    criminal history, frequency and length of homelessness, disability status including physical and mental health needs, veteran status, domestic violence substance abuse conditions and employment variables.
  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) – Provides financial assistance to eligible households, directly or indirectly impacted financially by  COVID-19. This assistance will be available to eligible households struggling to pay rent, rental arrears, utilities, utility arrears, and other related housing expenses.
  • Emergency Shelter & Food Services (FEMA) – Temporary assistance for eviction, shelter, utility assistance or emergency food shortages.
  • Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) – Program to assist homeless individuals/families living on the street and those residing in shelters to rapidly rehouse and offer preventative resources. Requirements include at or below the 30% AMI, literally homeless*, residing within a local emergency shelter, or fleeing domestic violence.
  • Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) – Funds to assist individuals at-risk of homelessness or literally homeless* to obtain economic self-sufficiency and secure permanent housing. Requirements: 150% of the Federal Poverty level, homeless or at immediate risk of losing housing, lease with landlord,  sustainable income for future months of rent.
  • Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH): Long-term housing assistance with support for individuals/families with history of homelessness and barriers maintaining permanent housing (i.e., mental illness, substance abuse disorders, physical disabilities, chronic conditions). Requirements: literally homeless*, chronic homeless history & disability.
  • PHARE Young Adult Supportive Housing (ages 18-24) – Scattered site model of supportive housing that provides short to medium term rental assistance, supportive services, and case management services. Eligible young adult participants must meet the definition of “literally homeless”* and have a combined household income that is at or below the 50% median area income for the County of Somerset.
  • Supportive Housing Program (SHP) – Supportive housing and services to homeless individuals and families. Case managers work closely to increase participant’s skills and income to secure stability and live as independently as possible. Requirements: literally homeless* or residing in an emergency shelter.

Phone: 844-VLP-VETS
Website: https://www.veteransleadershipprogram.org/

A program for homeless veterans or veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. Grant and Per Diem (Bridge Housing) program. Scattered sites in the Altoona and Johnstown areas, with a total of 10 beds to temporarily house veterans while they are seeking permanent housing. Requirements: serving active duty outside of training, a discharge that is not Dishonorable or General Court Martial, no income limits, and veteran does not need to be VA eligible.

Phone: 814-288-4961
Website: http://victimservicesinc.org/

Provides apartment-style shelters for victims of domestic violence and/or human trafficking. Also assists victims of sexual assault and violent crimes with navigating housing assistance programs in the area.

Phone: 814-536-5361
Website: https://www.womenshelpcenter.org/

  • Emergency shelter – provides immediate shelter for individuals experiencing episodic homelessness due to circumstances such as domestic violence, financial hardship, or other safety or housing-related needs. The program is available 24/7 with staffing, provides food, clothing, a secure family-oriented facility, and support services. Requests for service and admission are subject to approval and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Individuals should
    explore other community resources available prior to requesting shelter.
  • Transitional Housing – for individuals in need of housing for a period longer than 30 days. The program can provide services for up to 24 months. Emergency shelter residents assessed for their housing needs and may utilize the transitional housing program to enable community and provides ongoing case management, monitoring, monthly food distribution, and emergency food and supplies.
  • Financial Literacy – workshops are provided by certified counselors for Building Your Financial House. It’s a series of 7 workshops that cover topics including taxes, credit savings, and budgeting.
  • HUD Certified Housing Counselors/Housing & Resource Navigator – individuals can work with certified housing counselors on a variety of housing issues related to renting, home ownership, and budgeting. The Housing & Resource Navigator is available to assist in locating rentals, accessing housing programs, and linages to housing resources.
  • Prepared Renters Program – workshop delivered by certified instructors to educate individuals on responsibilities of renters, understanding a lease, and landlord responsibilities.
  • Information & Referral – available 24/7 to provide a variety of information and resources on community services.

*HUD Definition of Category 1 – Literally Homeless

  1. Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:
  2. Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation;
  3. Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs); or
  4. Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution

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