Housing Assistance

The Housing Services division provides safe and comfortable housing for its low-income clients.   See the table below for eligibility. . . 

Weatherization

GECAC works closely with the Department of Community and Economic Development, Natural Fuel Gas, and GPU energy; to provide efficiency improvements to eligible owner and renter residences within the City of Erie.

The Weatherization program aims to make a client's home more comfortable and energy efficient.  The client's dwelling is assessed; and an audit is performed in accordance with industry standards to determine the best possible solution.   Some measures taken are:  weather-strpping, caulking, replacement of broken glass, attic insulation, and furnace inspection.  To be eligible to receive weatherization services the applicant must have an income at or below the 150% Federal Poverty Level (see the chart above) and not have had the residence weatherized after September 1993. 

WARM Program 

The WARM program is a free weatherization and energy education program for GPU Energy's residential customers.  Applicants must meet income guidelines, have electric heat or electric water heat, and average $55 per month or greater on electric bills.    

Be sure to check out our Energy Conservation Tips and start saving money on your utility bills! »

Housing and Rental Assistance

Housing and Rental Assistance

Provides assistance with the first month's rent and / or a security deposit up to $750 - maximum is $1000 every two years without children, and $1500 every two years with children.  Checks are mailed directly to the landlord and are subject to a client fee determined by monthly income and the rent/security deposit being requested.  

HEMAP

The Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) is a cost-effective means of preventing homelessness among Pennsylvanians.  It helps homeowners who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments.  

Eligibilty

To be considered for a HEMAP loan,  homeowners must receive an "ACT 91 Notice" from their lender informing them of their delinquent status and advising them that help may be available through the program. 

In addition, the applicants must: 

• Be Pennsylvania residents who own and occupy the property in foreclosure
  
• Be at least sixty (60) days delinquent in their mortgage payments
  
• Be suffering financial hardship through no fault of their own; and
  
• Demonstrate reasonable prospects of being able to resume normal mortgage payments after HEMAP loan assistance ends.

The application process takes about four months to complete.  The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency determines the loan eligibility within 60 days.  Recipients must make mandatory monthly payments of at least $25 for each mortgage being assisted. 

Contact Stephanie Long, slong@gecac.org for more information.

Utility Assistance Programs

ELECTRIC UTILITY PROGRAMS

Customer Assistance Program (CAP)

Provides case management and assistance to assist customers who have become payment-troubled in their energy and/ or heating accounts due to emergency situations. 

* Programs under this category include GPU Dollar Energy Fund (maximum grant of $400) and NFG Neighbor-for-Neighbor (maximum grant of $300).

CAPII:  Utilizes budget billing and debt forgiveness which forgives 1/24 each month that a timely bill is received.   To be eligible you must meet the 150% poverty guidelines and have an active (cannot be shut off) residential customer account.  Clients that meet these requirements should consider the WARM program as well. 

GPU Dollar Energy Fund 

Provides GPU energy cumstomers who have become payment troubled due to an emergency situation (loss of employment, illness, divorce) and are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, with a one time lump sum grant to assist with payments. 

NATIONAL FUEL UTILITY PROGRAMS

Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund

The Neighbor for neighbor heat fund is a voluntary community program that provides financial assistance for heating emergencies to the elderly, persons with a disability, and individuals with a certified medical condition.  Eligible individuals can receive a maximum $300 per calendar year to pay overdue heating bills, to purchase fuel, or to repair heating equipment.  Recipients need not be customers of National Fuel but must reside within the company's service territory.

To qualify: 

• The need must be evident
• The family or individual has no resources to meet the need
• Recipient is 55 years of age or older, OR
• Be a person with a disability as defined (SSI, VA, SSD, Worker's Compensation) OR
• Have a medically related emergency