Human Services « Lackawanna County

Lackawanna County CDBG Coronavirus CARES Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program (MUAP)

CDBG CARES Mortgage & Utility Assistance Program (MUAP)

Lackawanna County CDBG Coronavirus CARES Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program (MUAP) is being administered by the Lackawanna County Department of Human Services. MUAP was established as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic to disburse funds in Lackawanna County to provide financial assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners experiencing difficulty making mortgage payments and/or utility payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistance will be made available in the form of a grant, and funds will be paid directly to the mortgage and/or utility provider. Applications will be available on the Lackawanna County website https://www.lackawannacounty.org or relief.lackawannacounty.org on Thursday, March 11.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Homeowners who have experienced job loss or a reduction in annual income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and need assistance with past-due mortgage payments and/or assistance with past due utility bills, including electric, gas, water, and/or sewer, may be eligible.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Assistance may be provided to support homeowners who are at least 30 days past due on their monthly mortgage payments and/or utility expenses and can verify job loss or loss of income related to COVID-19 rendering them unable to pay mortgage and/or utilities. All MUAP assistance is subject to the availability of funding.

MUAP funds may only be used to cover mortgage and/or utility expenses incurred after March 1, 2020. The maximum amount of monthly assistance for mortgage and utility payments will be equal to the actual mortgage payment and/or actual utility bill amount not to exceed three (3) consecutive months.

For a household to be eligible, the household income cannot exceed 80% of “median income” as defined in the guidelines published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Scranton-Wilkes Barre MSA. Additional guidance on this initiative is listed on the application.

This program is available to the following municipalities: the Townships of Benton, Carbondale, Clifton, Covington, Elmhurst, Fell, Glenburn, Greenfield, Jefferson, LaPlume, Madison, Newton, North Abington, Ransom, Roaring Brook, South Abington, Spring Brook, Thornhurst, Waverly, West Abington and Scott; and the Boroughs of Clarks Green, Dalton, Jermyn, Mayfield, Moosic, Moscow, Vandling, Archbald, Blakely, Clarks Summit, Dickson City, Dunmore, Jessup, Old Forge, Olyphant, Taylor, and Throop.

The Cities of Scranton and Carbondale are direct entitlements of HUD and receive their own funding, therefore they are not included within this Program.

For additional information on this program, please call 211.

Duplication Of Appointments For COVID – 19 Vaccine Shots

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its grip on the United States and our community, it is vitally important that everyone protect themselves by getting vaccinated.

Patience is a big part of the process. Scheduling only one appointment at one location is also tantamount for medical professionals to vaccinate as many individuals as possible in a timely fashion.

The Lackawanna County Commissioners, their Human Services Department and their Area Agency on Aging caution all residents from signing-up on multiple lists at multiple locations. This is compounding the problem for vaccine providers as they move through their waiting lists, trying to serve as many people as possible. Multiple sign-ups take away spots from other consumers.

To that end, if you did sign-up at multiple locations, and got the vaccine, please make sure that you cancel the other appointments to free-up the time slots so more can be served.

The best avenue for one to take is that if you are a patient or customer of any medical group, doctor, or pharmacy, add yourself to one of their lists.

Streamlining the process to quickly serve a large number of people and help keep everyone healthy is the goal of the vaccination program. Inundating the system does not allow the process to move forward.

Assistance available for renters and homeowners affected by COVID-19 economic slowdown

Assistance available for Renters and Homeowners affected by COVID-19 Economic Slowdown

Scranton, July 2, 2020: Lackawanna County has been approved to distribute $2.9 million for rent and mortgage relief to renters and homeowners who were affected by the economic slowdown due to COVID-19. With the moratorium on evictions set to expire on July
10, it is strongly recommended that those affected take advantage of this funding opportunity.

This allocation is part of $175 million in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding Pennsylvania received to assist those who are struggling to pay rent or make mortgage payments because of the COVID-19.

Renters who qualify for the Rent Relief Program can receive assistance up to $750 in monthly rent payments for a maximum of six months between March 1 and November 30, 2020.

Homeowners who qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program can receive up to $1,000 a month for a maximum period of six months.

In order to qualify for the assistance, renters and homeowners must be able to show that they experienced at least a 30% reduction in annual income or unemployed since March 1 due to COVID-19. In addition, household income cannot exceed 100% of the Area Median Income in
Lackawanna County, adjusted for household size.

Median Income information, instructions, and applications and other information for CARES financial assistance for renters and homeowners are available now through a link on the Lackawanna County Website and on the red CARES banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website. Application submissions can begin July 6. A dedicated email, [email protected] has been established to accept completed application packets.

NeighborWorks NEPA Challenges Kindness for Isolated Seniors Amidst Social Distancing

Scranton, PA - April 22, 2020

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is launching the KindnessWorks Challenge, a social media initiative addressing senior isolation while following social distancing guidelines.

Senior isolation is a struggle we face as a community in northeastern Pennsylvania. The challenge asks participants to be creative in spreading smiles and showing kindness while practicing safe social distancing. Entering the contest is easy – just document your acts of kindness through photos or videos and post on Facebook using #KindnessWorks for a chance to win fun prizes from NeighborWorks NEPA! Each week will offer first place prizes, such as a Weber two-burner propane grill, a Yeti cooler, and a Bose Outdoor Sound System. First place winners will be eligible to qualify to receive a Neighborhood Block Party.

Combatting senior isolation and feelings of loneliness in elderly residents has always been a goal for NeighborWorks NEPA. “Older adults in our community are a gift, full of wisdom and experience. Let’s work together as a community to ensure they feel connected to their neighborhoods during this trying time when staying isolated also keeps them healthy and safe,” says Mary Endrusick, Aging in Place Coordinator.

About Neighborworks Northeastern Pennsylvania NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization that has for more than 35 years helped to revitalize neighborhoods and improve lives throughout the region by addressing the housing needs in our community. Their vision for strong, healthy neighborhoods is built on resident empowerment, neighborhood revitalization, sustainable homeownership, and public-private partnerships.

NWNEPA KindnessWorks Challenge PSA

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Lackawanna County CDBG Coronavirus CARES Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program (MUAP)

Duplication Of Appointments For COVID – 19 Vaccine Shots

Assistance available for renters and homeowners affected by COVID-19 economic slowdown

NeighborWorks NEPA Challenges Kindness for Isolated Seniors Amidst Social Distancing

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