The Berks County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is designed to ensure housing stability by providing rental and utility payments to landlords and utility companies to keep residents in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NOTICE: ERAP will begin to accept new applications on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.
Applications must include all required documentation and be submitted in-person.
For more information or to look up the status of your application by your case ID number, click the image below or visit www.bceh.org
To obtain an updated version of our application please visit www.BCEH.org. If you have previously applied, there is no need to complete another application. If you have previously received ERAP funding, you can not apply again.
Clients may submit completed applications by stopping by the BCEH office on Tuesdays & Wednesdays 8:30-3pm, at 633 Court Street, 3rd floor, Reading. If your application is not complete, you will be asked to schedule an appointment. Applications will NOT be accepted via drop box, email or fax. If you would like to schedule an appointment to apply for ERAP you can call 484-339-0341 or email ERAPappointments@bceh.org. If clients arrive at their appointment with an incomplete application, they will be asked to reschedule.
Access Points
In addition to the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness office, applicants can visit one of the access points listed below for assistance.
Catholic Charities
234 Grace St,
Shillington PA 19607
610-376-7144
Friends Inc.
658D Noble St,
Kutztown, PA 19530
610-683-7790
Boyertown Multi-services
200 W Spring St,
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-6957
Centro Hispano
501 Washington St,
Reading, PA 19601
610-376-3748
Salvation Army-Reading
301 S 5th St,
Reading, PA 19602
610-373-5208
Salvation Army-Hamburg
700 S 4th St,
Hamburg, PA 19526
610-562-8440
Make the Road
501 Washington Street,
Reading PA 19601
610-374-1246
The Clubhouse
647 Walnut Street,
Reading PA 19601
484-755-5980
Barrio Alegria
140 N 5th Street,
Reading PA19601
610-743-3313
Berks County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click here for PDF version
Rental Assistance Resources
Entire County of Berks:
Berks Coalition to End Homelessness
Rental and Utility Assistance
Phone: 610-372-7222
Hours of operation: 8am – 3pm, Monday thru Friday; Closed Saturday and Sunday
Website: www.bceh.org
City of Reading only:
City of Reading
Human Relations Commission
Rental and Utility Assistance
Phone: 610-655-6141
Hours of Operation: 8am – 4pm Monday thru Friday; Closed Saturday and Sunday
Website: www.readingpa.gov
County of Berks, Excluding the City:
Family Promise of Berks County
325 N 5th Street
Reading, Pa. 19601
Phone: 610.373.3323
Fax: 610.373.3327
Website: www.familypromiseofberkscounty.org
Application for rental and utility assistance is available through the website.
State of Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)
Rental and Mortgage Assistance
Apply online at: https://www.phfa.org/pacares/
ELIGIBILITY
The program is for renters who meet the following criteria due to the COVID-19 pandemic (conditions 1 or 2, and 3 and 4):
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Qualify for PA unemployment compensation;
-- OR --
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Experienced a 20% or more reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardships;
-- AND --
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Household income at or below 80% of area median income; and
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At risk of homelessness or housing instability
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Aid is available for the following costs for up to 12 months. Eligible costs must have been incurred on or after April 1, 2020.
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Monthly Rent
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Up to $750/month toward utilities
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Late Rent and Late Utility fees
HOW TO APPLY
The ERAP office will only be accepting completed applications that include all required documentation.
A complete application consists of:
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Complete ERAP application
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Copy of a valid ID
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Copy of a valid lease
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Proof of income for the past 30 days (for anyone over 18)
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Landlord contact information
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Copies of most recent utility bill (only if the client is also seeking utility assistance)
Clients may submit completed applications by stopping by the BCEH office in the Berks County Services Center, 633 Court Street, 3rd Floor, Reading, on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you would like to schedule an appointment to apply for ERAP, call 484-339-0341 or email ERAPappointments@bceh.org.