Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Through the COVID-19 stimulus package, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) was created to assist renters with rental and utility assistance. 

COMPASS Application - https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/RAP/Application

Printable Applications

Program Guidelines

  • Payment period (arrears and future assistance): March 1st, 2020 – December 31st, 2021
  • Up to 12 months rental assistance (arrears and future rent)
    1. Future rent can be approved in 3 month increments 
  • Up to 12 months utility assistance
  • There is no monthly cap on either rental or utility assistance 

Eligibility Guidelines 

  • ERAP is for renters only 
    1. Homeowners can reach out to Centre Helps at: 814-237-5855
  • Households must have a gross annual or monthly income that does not exceed 80% of Centre County’s Area Median Income (AMI) – see chart below
  • Households must demonstrate that they have been directly or indirectly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic 
  • Households must demonstrate that they are at risk of homelessness or housing instability

Centre County, Pennsylvania

Household Size

80% Area Median Income (AMI)

1

$49,700.00

2

$56,800.00

3

$63,900.00

4

$70,950.00

5

$76,650.00

6

$82,350.00

7

$88,000.00

8

$93,700.00


Supporting Documents Required


supporting docs


Paper Application “Pick-Up” Locations

For households without access to computers/internet/printers, print applications can be picked up at the following YMCA branch locations:

State College YMCA
677 W. Whitehall Rd.
State College, PA 16801
814-237-7717
Penns Valley YMCA
115 W. Streamside Place
Spring Mills, PA 16875
814-422-6000
Bellefonte YMCA
125 W. High St.
Bellefonte, PA 16823
814-355-5551
Moshannon Valley YMCA
113 N. 14th St.
Philipsburg, PA 16866
814-342-0889


Effective Monday, March 15th, applications and supporting documents can be submitted in a secure dropbox at Summit Park (use the Adult Services/MHID main entrance, the dropbox will be outside Suite 1200) inside the Adult Services/MHID main entrance/outside of Suite 1200. The front entrance will be open M-F from 8:30am-5pm. 

Application Assistance Hubs

If you need help completing your application or submitting supporting documentation, please contact the Application Assistance Hub closest to you to schedule an appointment. 

Centre Helps

410 S. Fraser St.

State College, PA 16801

814-237-5855

Community Action – Bellefonte

109 W. Bishop St.

Bellefonte, PA 16823

814-355-7509

Community Action – Penns Valley

337 E. Aaron Square

Aaronsburg, PA 16820

814-349-5850



Application Submission Options

Applications can be submitted by mail to:

Centre County Government

Office of Adult Services

ATTN: Faith Ryan

3500 E. College Ave., Ste. 1200

State College, PA 16801

 

Or electronically to: adultservices@centrecountypa.gov 

 

Or by fax: 814-355-8625


Or drop box: Effective Monday, March 15th, applications and supporting documents can be submitted in a secure dropbox at Summit Park (use the Adult Services/MHID main entrance, the dropbox will be outside Suite 1200). inside the Adult Services/MHID main entrance/outside of Suite 1200. The front entrance will be open M-F from 8:30am-5pm. 

 

 

We thank you for your patience as we work through this process. We understand and value the importance of making this program easy to navigate and accessible to all eligible Centre County residents.  


For more information, please contact us by phone or email. 

814-355-6768

adultservices@centrecountypa.gov