Urban League of Greater Philadelphia — Housing Grants, Foreclosure Help, Job Training, and More
The Urban League of Greater Philadelphia offers a wider range of free programs than most Philadelphia residents realize — and many of them are specifically designed for Black and low-income communities that have faced systemic barriers to housing, employment, and economic stability. Philadelphia's population is roughly 40% Black, and disparities in homeownership, income, and health outcomes remain significant across the city. The Urban League has been working on those gaps since 1917. Here's what they actually offer, in plain terms.
To reach them, the address is two Penn Center, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1910, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Phone: (215) 985-3220. The housing counseling direct line is at (215) 985-3220. Email: [email protected] or website: https://www.urbanleaguephila.org/.
Housing help — renters, buyers, and homeowners in trouble
The housing department is where many people in crisis start, and it covers more ground than a typical housing counseling agency.
If you're a renter facing eviction, the Urban League partners with the City of Philadelphia's Eviction Diversion Program, which provides a structured process to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants before a court case begins. This can be a critical early step — once an eviction is filed in court it affects your rental history. Reaching the Urban League early gives you more options - including those noted on our guide for Philadelphia rent assistance programs.
If your utility service has been shut off or you've received a termination notice, the Urban League's housing department serves as an intake site for the UESF Utility Assistance Grant, which provides financial help to low-income households facing shutoffs. This is not widely advertised, and most people find it only through organizations like the Urban League that act as intake points.
If you're a homeowner behind on your mortgage, their HUD-certified counselors will review your loan documents, analyze your budget, and work directly with your lender on options including HAMP and HEMAP loan workouts — meaning they can help negotiate a plan that might let you stay in your home rather than going to foreclosure.
If property tax debt is the issue, the Urban League provides tax lien counseling specifically — helping homeowners who are behind on taxes work out hardship payment arrangements with the firms collecting those liens. This is a separate and specific service many people don't know exists.
They also review existing loan documents for predatory lending elements, particularly for homeowners considering a home equity loan, refinancing, or home improvement loan. If something in your loan terms looks wrong, a counselor can review it.
Buying a home — grants and counseling for first-time buyers
Philadelphia has several grant programs for first-time homebuyers, and the Urban League is an approved agency to help you qualify and apply for them.
The city's Philly First Home Grant provides up to $10,000 (or 6% of the purchase price, whichever is lower) to help with down payments and closing costs. Completing the Urban League's free homebuyer counseling program is one of the qualifying paths to access this grant.
The Urban League also offers its own $1,000 closing cost grant, available on a first-come, first-served basis to people who complete housing counseling through an approved agency.
Pennsylvania's K-Fit program, available through the Urban League, offers a forgivable loan of up to 5% of the purchase price with no dollar cap — forgiven at 10% per year over 10 years. A minimum credit score of 660 is required. A counselor can tell you if you're likely to qualify.
To start any of the housing programs, call (215) 985-3220, extension 203, or email [email protected].
Healthy eating on a tight budget
This is the program that most resource lists miss entirely. The Healthy Eating Initiative is specifically designed to help lower-income families eat better without spending more. The program teaches how to shop for groceries on a budget, including steps like unit pricing. It also show people how to cook nutritious meals at low cost, and safe food handling and preparation. For families stretched thin between bills and groceries, this kind of practical education has real day-to-day value. Call the main number to find out about current sessions.
Job training and employment
The Workforce Development program provides job training, resume help, career counseling, and job placement services for unemployed and underemployed Philadelphia residents. There are also job fairs held throughout the year that connect residents directly with employers. For people who have been out of work for an extended time or who need new skills to move into a better-paying position, this is a free starting point.
Reentry support after incarceration
The Urban League's reentry program — including the Out4Good initiative — is aimed at people coming out of incarceration who need employment and stability. It provides job readiness training, skills development, and connections to employers willing to hire returning citizens. Given that Black Philadelphians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, this is a program where the Urban League's community focus matters practically.
A note on the organization
The Urban League of Greater Philadelphia has operated in the region since 1917 and in May 2025 formally expanded its name and service area to cover ten counties across southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. It holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency. For Philadelphia residents, it remains primarily a direct-service organization — not just an advocacy group.
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