Help paying rent in Lehigh County and Allentown, Pennsylvania
Falling behind on rent in Lehigh County can happen fast — a cut in hours, a unexpected bill, a rent increase you didn't see coming. Which program can help depends on your situation, so it pays to know more than one place to call.
Local charities, county programs, and housing authorities offer several kinds of help. There may be money for back rent, security deposits, first month's rent, and moving costs, along with Section 8 vouchers and free legal advice for tenants.
This page lists verified contacts for all areas of the county, including Allentown, Emmaus, Whitehall, Slatington, and the rest of Lehigh County. Every organization below was checked against its own current information. If your landlord has already handed you an eviction notice, start with the Lehigh County eviction prevention and rehousing page instead. The programs there are built for that stage, including legal aid and rapid rehousing.
County rent and security deposit programs
Lehigh County Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) — The county's main fund for rent help and security deposits, overseen by the Office of Aging and Adult Services. It serves residents who are homeless or close to it, and combines any payment with housing case management. Community Action Lehigh Valley handles the payments, but you apply through one of three intake agencies: Catholic Charities, the Hispanic American Organization, or the Lehigh Conference of Churches — all listed below with their contact information.
Income for the household generally needs to be under 200% of the federal poverty level. Program detail are at https://www.lehighcounty.org/Departments/Human-Services/Aging-and-Adult-Services/Programs/Housing-Assistance.
Emergency Shelter Allowance (ESA) — A state program applied for through the Lehigh County Assistance Office. It pays funds towards a month's upcoming rent, rent arrears, or a security deposit for households that are homeless or about to lose housing, and it is aimed mainly at families with a child under 21. The grant is small and can only be used once in a 12-month period, but caseworkers often combine it with HAP money to cover a larger amount.
An interview is required, and the landlord must agree to keep renting to you once the payment is made. Lehigh County Assistance Office, 555 Union Blvd., Allentown, PA 18109 | (610) 821-6509. Apply online through COMPASS or learn more at https://www.pa.gov/services/dhs/apply-for-the-emergency-shelter-allowance-esa.
Charities that may help with rent in Allentown and Lehigh County
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown — Runs a housing and utility assistance fund for renters when money is available, along with budgeting help and case management. The agency is also one of the three intake sites for county HAP rent and deposit money, and it operates supportive services for veterans and their families that can cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs. Serving all of Lehigh County regardless of faith. 900 S. Woodward St., Allentown, PA 18103 | (610) 435-1541. https://www.catholiccharitiesad.org/.
The Lehigh Conference of Churches — The Conference Housing program offers rental assistance, utility deposit help, furniture, and support aimed at keeping families housed. It is also a county HAP intake site. Residents can walk in for a needs assessment at the Dubbs Memorial Community Center; no appointment is needed. 457 W. Allen St., Allentown, PA 18102 | Housing Services: (610) 439-8653. Website: https://lehighchurches.org/.
Hispanic American Organization (HAO) — A fully bilingual agency in downtown Allentown offering housing case management by appointment, help finding and moving into affordable apartments, and access to county HAP rent and deposit funds as an intake site. Staff assist all residents, including immigrants. 462 W. Walnut St., Allentown, PA 18102 | (610) 435-5334. Website: https://www.hao-lv.org/.
Salvation Army Allentown Corps — Emergency financial assistance for housing costs when funds allow, along with a food pantry and other family services from one location serving the Lehigh County area. Read more on Lehigh County Salvation Army programs. 144 N. 8th St., Allentown, PA 18101 | (610) 432-0129
New Bethany — This Bethlehem-based nonprofit runs a rental assistance program covering rent arrears and utility arrears, plus a housing locator service, for residents of Lehigh and Northampton counties who are at risk of losing their housing. Applications are dropped off at the office with supporting documents. 333 W. 4th St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 | (610) 691-5602 ext. 260. Website: https://newbethany.org/.
Casa Guadalupe Center — A bilingual community center that connects Allentown-area families to rent and utility assistance and other local programs; limited direct emergency help may be offered depending on funding. Staff work in English and Spanish. 218 N. 2nd St., Allentown, PA 18102 | (610) 435-9902.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Volunteer groups based at Catholic parishes around the Allentown area offer small emergency grants toward rent or utilities, usually arranged through a home visit. Each parish group has its own funds and rules, so availability varies. Find details on the St. Vincent de Paul Lehigh County NHPB page.
Family Promise of Lehigh Valley — Focused on families with children who are losing their housing or already without it. The program centers on lodging with support services aimed at getting a family back into stable housing; ask about any rent assistance when you apply, as direct funds vary. 1346 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, PA 18102 | (610) 351-1368. Website: https://fplehighvalley.org/
Help for veterans and renters with disabilities
Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) — Runs the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program locally, which can pay rent, utility bills, security deposits, and moving costs for low-income veteran households that are homeless or about to be. LVCIL also provides housing counseling and case management for renters with a disability who are on limited income, and short-term financial help for families that include a person with a disability. Serving Lehigh and Northampton counties, with some programs reaching Berks, Carbon, and Monroe. 713 N. 13th St., Allentown, PA 18102 | (610) 770-9781. Website: https://lvcil.org/
Section 8 rent vouchers and subsidized apartments
Two housing authorities cover Lehigh County, and which one you apply to depends on where you want to live. Both run the Housing Choice Voucher program, where tenants pay a portion of their income towards the rent and the federal government covers the rest, along with public housing units. Waiting lists open and close as vouchers turn over, so apply whenever a list is open and keep your contact information current.
Lehigh County Housing Authority — Serves the county outside Allentown, including Emmaus, Whitehall, Slatington, and surrounding boroughs and townships. Applications for vouchers and subsidized apartments are submitted through the authority's online portal. The Housing Voucher/Section 8 office is separate from the main office. Website: https://lehighcountyha.org/
- Main office: 635 Broad St., Emmaus, PA 18049 | (610) 965-4514. Housing Voucher/Section 8 office: 120 N. 3rd St. Rear, Emmaus, PA 18049 | (610) 433-2312
- The affiliated Valley Housing Development Corporation offers affordable and permanent supportive apartments for seniors, families, and people with disabilities in Allentown, Emmaus, Coopersburg, and nearby towns, using the same online application.
Allentown Housing Authority — Administers Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing for city residents, from senior high-rises to family units. Applications and the waiting list are managed through the authority's online portal, and the public is notified when the voucher list reopens. 1339 W. Allen St., Allentown, PA 18102 | (610) 439-8678. https://www.allentownhousing.org/index.cfm
Bethlehem Housing Authority — Handles vouchers and public housing for the City of Bethlehem, part of which sits in Lehigh County. 645 Main St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 | (610) 865-8300
Free legal help for renters
North Penn Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for low-income renters in Lehigh County, including security deposit disputes, unsafe housing conditions, subsidized housing denials or terminations, and landlord-tenant rights questions. If you are facing an eviction filing, the eviction and rehousing page covers legal defense options in more detail. 559 Main St., Suite 100, Bethlehem, PA 18018 | (610) 317-8757. Website: https://www.nplspa.org/
Also try 211
PA 211 East is a free referral line that connects Lehigh County residents to housing, utility, and other programs. It is a useful supplemental call, but the listings on this page include programs and direct contacts that may not appear in the 211 database — so use both. Dial 2-1-1 or visit https://pa211east.org/.
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