• Weatherization Assistance - The community action agency runs this federal government funded program. It is free to qualified families, and homeowners can save hundreds of dollars on their heating and utility bills every year. The program installs free energy conserving updates to people homes, such as insulation and new windows.
   
• Food Aid - Several food centers are located around Onondaga County that people can stop by at to receive free food and other household supplies.

Call PEACE, Inc. - Peoples' Equal Action Community Effort, Inc. at (315) 470-3300 to learn more or to apply for help.

Short term help

The Syracuse Northeast Community Center offers the Basic Needs Assistance program. This service provides emergency assistance with bills and expenses, and it will assist people who are facing a short term hardship. It offers food, rent help, funds to pay security deposits, and information and referral to other New York and federal government programs to individuals and families in crisis. For example, learn about New York foreclosure settlement programs.

Another agency to turn to for help is Catholic Charities of Onondaga County. This organization runs the Emergency Assistance Services program which helps families and individuals address an immediate crisis through food vouchers, grant programs, money to pay bills and other financial assistance. In addition the program can help people develop new skills and resources to prevent its recurrence and help people get back on their feet. 315.424.1800.

 

 

Another non-profit to turn to is the Salvation Army, Syracuse Area Services. They have a program known as the Emergency and Practical Assistance Services program, which helps families and individuals who are faced with a crisis. It provides them with basic needs and access to assistance for such hardships as housing challenges, food aid, clothing, heating bills and the essentials of daily living. In addition, the program offers crisis intervention and information on other New York and Onondaga County programs. Call the agency at 315-475-1688.

Get heating and utility bill help from the Care and Share Program - American Red Cross. The energy assistance program offers home energy bill assistance to Syracuse and Onondaga County NY families who meet eligibility guidelines. The applicant must receive disability income or have a medical emergency and NOT eligible for HEAP or be at least 60 years of age or have someone living in your home who is at least 60 years of age. Call 234-2202. The program does pays for any kind of fuel and heating source, including gas, electric, wood, propane, coal, and even heating oil.

The organizations listed above can provide short term housing and/or rent assistance. However, if they do not have funding or are unable to meet your needs, find additional rental assistance in Syracuse and Onondaga County.

Food assistance

Three local charities and non-profits to turn to for free food include Dunbar Association (315.476.4269), the Food Bank of Central New York ((315) 437-1899), and also Huntington Family Centers (phone (315) 476-3157). All of these agencies can help families and individuals in need of access to food and clothing. It will allow these people the ability to live with the highest degree of independence and self-sufficiency.

The following charities, non-profits, and churches in Syracuse and Onondaga County provide free food and/or meals.

• Assumption Church - This center provides bagged lunches twice a day. Syracuse, NY 473-9101
• Hopps Memorial CME Church Syracuse, NY 478-0191
• P.E.A.C.E., Inc. Eastside Family Resource Center  470-3325
• Rescue Mission Alliance Syracuse, NY 472-6251
• St. Lucy’s Church Pantry
• Samaritan Center, Inc. Syracuse, NY 472-8156
• InterReligious Food Consortium - Emergency food supplies and groceries are available at agencies and churches. Callers will be connected with a food pantry in their neighborhood. 474-8855
• P.E.A.C.E., Inc. Eastside Family Resource Center  470-3325
• St. Lucy’s Church Pantry 424-0023

Free legal aid and assistance

Several firms provide free legal programs. You can receive everything from help stopping a foreclosure, to assistance with debt collectors, family law, divorces, and learn how attorneys can settle debt.

• Legal Services of CNY Syracuse, NY 13202  475-3127
• Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society Syracuse, NY 422-8191

Debt reduction and foreclosure prevention in Syracuse and Onondaga County

Consumer Credit Counseling - This non-profit credit counseling firm offers counseling, debt assistance programs, payment negotiation and alternatives to personal bankruptcy. 474-6026

Cooperative Federal Credit Union - Access free, HUD approved foreclosure prevention, housing counseling, financial education, credit building and repair. 471-1116