HOUSING REHABILITATION
County-wide Housing Rehab Program (CWHR)
The County-wide Housing Rehabilitation (CWHR) Program assists homeowners in improving their dwelling. Program funds are used to provide as much as $20,000 of rehabilitation assistance to income-eligible, owner-occupants of single family homes, townhouses, and condominiums in areas of Lehigh County located outside of the city limits of Allentown and Bethlehem. Owner- occupied duplex properties are also eligible but special guidelines apply.
In general, financial assistance is available for the renovation or replacement of substandard heating, electrical and plumbing systems; some structural repairs and modifications; insulation and other improvements designed to reduce operational expenses; alteration to correct code violations and other repair work necessary for upgrading existing homes to standard condition.
The assistance is governed by federal statutes, Community Development Block Grant regulations and Lehigh County policies. Additional information, along with income guidelines, are provided within the program brochure. Interested applicants should contact Lehigh County at 610-782-3565 to be placed on the waiting list. Unfortunately we do not assist homeowners in the City of Allentown (610-437-7610) or the City of Bethlehem (610)865-7085.
2021 County-Wide Housing Rehab Program English Brochure
2021 County-Wide Housing Rehab Program Spanish Brochure
WANTED: General Contractors for CWHR program (PDF)
Neighborhood Housing Services of the Lehigh Valley (NHS)
Low-interest loans for housing. For more information on the services which NHS provides, please contact them at 610-437-4571 or visit their website.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The Rural Development Office of the USDA administers the Rural Repair and Rehab Program. Contact the local USDA office at 610.791.9810 or visit their webpage for more information.
AFFORDABLE RENTALS and HOME OWNERSHIP
HUD’s Rental Help Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Examples of some of PHFA's available programs and contact information: Pennsylvania residents who are facing foreclosure may be eligible for assistance through PHFA's - Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program- 717.780.3940 Home Improvement and Repair Program - 1.800.822.1174 - Accessibility Home Modification - Keystone Renovate & Repair Purchase Improvement - Purchase Improvement
Rental Assistance
Contact the following agencies to pursue options for rental assistance:
Catholic Charities – 900 S. Woodward St., Allentown – 610.435.1541
Hispanic American Organization – 462 West Walnut Street, Allentown – 610.435.5334
Lehigh County Conference of Churches – 544 Hamilton Street, Allentown – 610.439.8653
Lehigh County Information and Referral – 610.782.3200 – Webpage
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program- 1-855-483-8466
FAIR HOUSING
Fair Housing – It’s Your Right!
Denial of housing because of your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (i.e. family with children), or disability is illegal! Report it by calling 610.317.5322.
Click here for more information on Fair Housing
RESOURCES: North Penn Legal Services (www.northpennlegal.org) and (https://www.northpennlegal.org/get-help/basic-landlord-tenant-resources)