Supportive Housing

STEP partners with a limited number of community Referral Partner agencies and selected Supportive Housing Program (SHP) customers. SHP concentrates on Lycoming County’s rental community with the goal of helping customers avoid eviction from their rental dwellings and assist homeless residents who are sheltered or unsheltered to obtain safe, affordable rental accommodations. SHP is also structured to assist homeowners who are behind on their mortgage. Rental or mortgage arrears cannot exceed $3000.00 and there must be self-sustaining income in the household.  To extend the reach of SHP funding, Service Navigation uses other eligible STEP funding streams—federal, state, and local—to meet customers’ needs, as well as leveraging other community resources, before allocating SHP resources.

Referral Partners are crucial to the success of SHP. All Lycoming County community organizations are encouraged to apply to become an SHP Referral Partner. STEP seeks those agencies who have demonstrated past success with county residents who have faced complex and multi-tiered social and economic challenges and need rental or mortgage assistance.

SHP has the following tiers:       

• Tier One individuals and families participate in a multifaceted, strengths-based approach to regain self-sufficiency and overcome the circumstances causing their instability.  These individuals and families were previously self-sufficient; however due to a crisis, their security was compromised, thus requiring short term- assistance to stabilize. Customers in Tier 1 will receive STEP’s Service Navigation assistance to build upon their strengths while addressing their barriers in pursuit of achieving long-term self-sufficiency. Tier One customers may be referred by referral partners but may also be self-referred. Financial assistance, if given, may not exceed 6 months and is offered on a graduated scale.
• Tier Two individuals and families have made some progress towards self-sufficiency but need substantial long-term assistance and supports to stabilize.  These individuals and families have experienced a crisis that cannot be resolved with a Tier One enrollment. They receive supports from both a Referral Partner agency and STEP’s Service Navigation Department for the duration of the enrollment, capitalizing on their strengths and addressing their barriers.  Tier Two customers are only accepted by referral from approved Referral Partner agencies.  Financial assistance may not exceed 12 months and is offered on a graduated scale.
• Emergency Tier individuals and families are determined to be in an immediate crisis due to a circumstance that was outside their control. Customers in SHP Emergency Tier receive a limited amount of financial assistance (security deposit, arrears, eviction protection, utility payment, and rental or mortgage assistance) that is needed to get them over their crisis, so they can return to self-sufficiency. Customers in this Tier do not need to have an income at the time of enrollment though they will still be required to work towards self-sufficiency, including securing an income within 60 days. Individuals in this Tier may also receive assistance for evictions and arrears owed, but it is limited. A Family Navigator from STEP’s Service Navigation program works with these customers to assist with their immediate needs by building a long-range multi-pronged plan leading to immediate stabilization, development of foundational skills, and achievement of long-term self-sufficiency. Information and referral services as well as intensive case management are the key assistance provided in Emergency Tier. Referrals and applications into SHP Emergency Tier can be made by customers themselves, through a Referral Partner, or from other community agencies.

Eligibility Requirements

• Individuals who were formerly self-sufficient but experienced a crisis outside their control.
• Must have been a resident of Lycoming County for a minimum of 12 months.
• Less than $3000 in arrears whether mortgage, evictions, rent, or a combination.
• Meet the following income guidelines: Thirty percent (30%) of PHARE funds will be allocated to assist households earning no more than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or $22,278; up to 70% of funds can be used to assist households earning no more than 200% of the AMI.
• Individuals and every able adult within the household must have sustainable income within 60 days.
• Have limited housing options and have exhausted available alternatives to secure housing or monies to retain existing housing.
• Demonstrate a level of commitment to their own growth and agree to participate in intensive case management.