FREE RESOURCES

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. Our specialists will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in your community that might be able to help.

Visit our search page to explore programs available in your community by categories such as financial assistance, housing, and food. You can also connect with a resource specialist via chat during business hours.

 Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP): This program offers short-term financial assistance to homeowners who are facing foreclosure due to circumstances beyond their control, such as job loss or medical emergencies. HEMAP provides loans to help homeowners become current on their mortgage.

• Website: PHFA
• Eligibility: Homeowners must demonstrate financial hardship and have a reasonable prospect of being able to resume full mortgage payments within a set period.

 HUD-Approved Housing Counseling: Homeowners can receive free or low-cost assistance from housing counseling agencies approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These agencies provide foreclosure prevention counseling, financial literacy education, and assistance in negotiating with lenders.

• Find a local counselor: HUD Housing Counselors

 A collaboration between the PHFA, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, and other local agencies, PA CARES provides outreach and education to homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments. They also offer help in navigating mortgage servicers' requirements and options for loan modification or repayment plans.

• Website: PA CARES

 Homeowners in preforeclosure may be eligible for legal assistance through various legal aid organizations across Pennsylvania. These organizations can provide advice on foreclosure defense, mortgage modification, and bankruptcy options.

• Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN): PLAN

 In Pennsylvania, lenders are required to send an Act 91 Notice before initiating foreclosure. This notice informs homeowners of their right to apply for the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) and offers information about their options to avoid foreclosure. Homeowners should respond promptly to this notice to explore assistance opportunities. 

 Some counties in Pennsylvania, such as Philadelphia and Allegheny County, offer foreclosure diversion programs. These programs aim to facilitate communication between homeowners and lenders, providing mediation to explore loan modification, repayment plans, or other alternatives to foreclosure.

• Philadelphia Foreclosure Diversion Program: Philadelphia Courts
• Allegheny County Mortgage Foreclosure Program: Allegheny Courts

 This is a free resource for Philadelphia residents facing foreclosure. The hotline connects homeowners with housing counselors and legal services to prevent foreclosure.

• Phone Number: 215-334-HOME (4663)

 Many local non-profit organizations and community groups provide foreclosure prevention workshops and financial literacy courses. These programs help homeowners understand their financial situation, budget effectively, and explore their legal rights.