Suffolk County assistance programs.

Emergency housing assistance

The towns of Riverhead, Southhampton, and Southold are expecting to receive hundreds of thousands of federal government stimulus dollars to provide housing assistance to residents of Suffolk County. The Peconic Community Council, which is a local nonprofit that provides rent assistance and shelters in churches for homeless people, as well as other housing assistance, would likely manage the program for the county. Phone (631) 727-6820.

The funds being provided by the government can be used for a variety of short-term assistance to help people pay their rent, for help with making security deposits, for payment of rent that is overdue, legal services for eviction prevention and the funds can also be used for as a last resort, to put county residents up in hotels or motels until they can find a permanent place to live and get back on their feet. Click here to find additional rent assistance programs. The county expects to be able to provide assistance for the next two years.

Help for rent, security deposits, and utility bills

Suffolk County has received $1.5 million in federal government stimulus funds, while Islip and Babylon have qualified for $840,000 and $520,000, respectively. The money is coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009's Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, better known as the stimulus program. The local towns, cities, and counties are partnering with the Family Service League and Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. (phone 631-289-2124) to assist individuals and families with rent arrears, security deposits, unpaid utility and heating bills, and even rental assistance, as well as other needs such as moving costs and credit repair. The grants will help keep people housed, prevent evictions, and also provide financial support to individuals and families that are in the process of getting back on their feet.

The assistance program is geared toward families that are behind on their rent or energy bills, and that may be on the verge of homelessness but who at the same time have a strong opportunity of becoming self-sufficient over the long term after receiving the funds. The goal is to help reestablish families and individuals that are experiencing temporary financial problems due to loss of illness or employment.

 

 

 

Note that rental assistance and other services are limited to a period of a maximum of 18 months.

The various local municipalities are working with the Family Service League and Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. to assist people who are behind with their rent and utility bills, and money can even be provided to help with security deposits and providing longer term rental assistance.

The funds will assist with keeping people housed and provide financial support to individuals and families who are in the process of getting back on their feet.

Another group to contact is Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Dial (631)661-9262. The church covers Suffolk County and Islip, and it provides emergency free food and payment of rent, monthly mortgage, heating and utility bills when in arrears.

The West Islip Church of Christ runs a food pantry for those in need. They will see applicants strictly by appointment. In addition to the food, they also offer a very limited amount of financial assistance and funds to families in transition or in a crisis situation. Priority is given to requests from social service agencies on behalf of a client in need of utility payment or rent assistance. Funds offered to applicants are very limited and assistance is offered each month only until funds are depleted. (631)587-1156

Catholic Charities (Phone number (516)733-7045) may be able to provide help from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. This federal government funded program can provide financial assistance for emergency situations for rent or mortgage expenses. Westhampton Beach and Centereach New York. All of Suffolk County is eligible.

Society of St. Vincent Depaul has several locations around the area. Numerous assistance programs, counseling, and information is offered. Examples include limited rent and utility bill help, thrift stores, free food, information on government assistance programs such as section 8 housing, prescription medications, and much more. (516)822-3132

Long Island Council of Churches - Provides information on charities and government programs, and referral and an Emergency Services Program includes 3 day supply of free groceries and food 12 times per year, rent/mortgage/utility payment when bill is in arrears or facing an eviction and also prescription assistance.  Riverhead New York. (631)727-221

West Islip Church of Christ - The non-profit center can provides a food pantry and very limited funds for other expenses. Referrals from social service agencies are recommenced. Get help with utility bills or rent. Money is very limited. (631)587-1156

Parish Outreach Center - Suffolk County residents facing an emergency can get free food. In addition, limited assistance with providing prescriptions, transportation, basic needs, money for paying rent and/or mortgage payments and advocacy when there is a threat of eviction, foreclosure and utility shutoff. For example, get referred to assistance programs from lenders like Bank of America (learn more). Or dial the center at (631)281-5634

Riverhead Salvation Army - This non-profit provides both rent and utility bill help. Also get referrals to such assistance programs as offered by utility companies. Learn more on NY utility bill assistance programs. Or call the Salvation Army at 631-727-3338.

Suffolk County Department Of Social Services – The government agency provides emergency grants and financial assistance for families and individuals. The agency can help Suffolk County individuals meet the emergency needs of rent assistance, shelter, food, heating bills and utilities. Energy needs and help for utilities are currently handled at local HEAP fuel sites including community action agencies. Hauppauge, New York 11788-8900. Dial (631)854-9935

Bellport, Hagerman, East Patchogue Alliance, Inc. - Offers a variety of housing and rent assistance programs. Crisis funds may be available to assist with the payment of bills and expenses such as rent, utilities and mortgages. Housing assistance programs provide information on reverse mortgages, tenants and landlord rights, information on loans and grants to use for first time home buying, government foreclosure prevention, and mortgage counseling. Bellport, New York 11713, (631)286-9236

Options For Community Living, Inc. – Financial assistance for bills and rent, as well as food, is offered for HIV and AIDs patients. 202 East Main Street; Suite 7, Smithtown, New York 11787, call (631)361-9020

East Hampton Town Office Of Housing And Community Development – The agency provides rental payment assistance payments to qualified seniors, low-income families, homeless seeking a new apartment, and disabled individuals. 267 Bluff Road, Amagansett, New York 11930, call (631)267-7896

St. Jude Roman Catholic Church – Runs a Community Emergency Food Pantry that can provide free groceries and food. Can also offer assistance with prescriptions, rent, transportation expenses, basic needs, and mortgages (when FEMA funds are available), referrals when utilities are in arrears or overdue, and advocacy when there is a threat of home foreclosure eviction, or utility shut-off. 89 Overlook Drive, Mastic Beach, New York 11951, call (631)281-5743

 

 

Non-profit food pantries - A number of churches, charities, and organizations can provide food ,clothing, shelter, and household products. Anyone can receive support or referrals, and no one is turned away. Find information on Suffolk County New York food pantries.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church/Bay Shore – Some of the assistance programs run include a free food pantry, telephone and water payments when appropriate, a full lunchtime meal, new or gently used clothing, furniture, referrals, advocacy and direct services consisting of rent assistance, prescriptions, LIPA, gasoline vouchers, bus fare, etc. 9 North Clinton Avenue, Bay Shore, New York 11706, dial (631)665-4911

Suffolk County assistance programs offered to all people in New York State

The following programs are offered to all Suffolk County residents, including people in the towns of Southampton, Huntington, Brookhaven, Smithtown, and the entire region.

• New York heating and energy bill assistance programs
• New York Section 8 housing
• New York mortgage assistance programs
• New York food pantries and banks
• New York free community clinics
• New York free HUD foreclosure counseling
• New free legal assistance
• New York dental care centers
• New York medical debt laws

Federal funded program for rent and mortgage payment assistance

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a federal government emergency assistance program that provides limited financial aid for rent or mortgage emergencies. The one-time emergency grants made during the annual funding period usually begin in March until funds are exhausted for calendar year. Contact the United Way, Catholic Charities ((516)733-7000), or St. Vincent De Paul (Phone (516)822-3132), Huntington based Family Service League Inc. ((631)427-3700) for more information.

Several other churches, agencies, and non-profits offer emergency housing aid. More Suffolk County rent programs and read about a number of other rental programs in Suffolk County.

Debt Assistance and Reduction

Bay Shore Debt Counseling - Get help and advice for reducing debts. The agency provides free or low cost services including money management, counseling, debt management plans, and access to a debt help line for families with financial problems resulting from crises or accumulated debt. (631)427-3700

Huntington Debt Counseling offers many of the same services as the agency above. Call (631)427-3700.

 

 

Suffolk County NY Foreclosure and Mortgage Counseling

The following agencies have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state of New York to expands the size of their programs. Touro Law School’s Public Advocacy Centers Foreclosure Prevention Clinic and Health and Welfare of Long Island (HWCLI) (phone (516) 483-1110) have received the funds in order to provide services to residents of Suffolk and Nassau Counties who need mortgage help.

Combined, the groups haves proposed serving over 2,000 local households with the funds. Last year, the groups assisted almost 3,200 families in the region. They provide foreclosure assistance, counseling, and information on other state of New York government mortgage programs. Nassau and Suffolk Counties rank second and third in the State respectively among all counties with foreclosure filings, so the demand for assistance is tremendous.

Long Island Housing Services Inc. runs a program that offers housing counseling for landlord/tenant-rights, mortgage counseling to homeowners, rent payment increases and eviction situations and foreclosure prevention. (631)467-5111

Several other organizations, both private and government, provide free mortgage delinquency assistance to qualified homeowners. Find more Suffolk County foreclosure counseling organizations.

Help find a job, foreclosure prevention and debt reduction services

The local community action agency, Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. residents several different assistance programs and resources. Some of what they offer includes:

• Budgeting and debt reduction assistance - Learn how to save money, pay off credit card bills and debts, and other financial skills.
• Help finding a job - Acquire a new job, skill, or techniques in job retention and self-promotion. Resume review and other services.
• Housing assistance - Foreclosure prevention advice and information on mortgage assistance programs.

Those are just a couple examples of programs offered by Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. Call them at (phone (631) 289-2124) to learn more or to apply for help.