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Owning a home is a big part of the American Dream. Here are some resources that can help you buy, maintain and keep your home. Getting Started
Buying a Home
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 Other Maryland Resources |
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Heat Assistance
This innovative program enables Rhode Island Housing’s FirstHomes customers to defer $200 a month from their mortgage payments for up to four months during the winter season, with the understanding that they will pay an extra $100 a month after the heating season is over to make up the difference. The program is free and does not increase the interest customers pay on their mortgages.
RoadHome Emergency Housing Assistance
Rhode Island Housing's RoadHome Emergency Housing Assistance (RHEHA) provides assistance to individuals and families who are facing a housing crisis.
RHEHA is designed to help Rhode Islanders in need and reduce the Rhode Island shelter population by providing cash assistance to individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless due to a short term housing emergency. RHEHA provides up to $1,200 to eligible program participants for security deposits, first month's rent or mortgage payment assistance. Applicants must be facing a temporary housing crisis, meet strict income and eligibility requirements and be able to sustain their housing costs over the long term.
RHEHA is funded and administered by Rhode Island Housing and implemented through community-based organizations, including Community Mediation Center of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Community Action .
RHEHA Rules and Regulations
Supportive Housing Program
The Supportive Housing Program (SHP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year, Rhode Island Housing applies for a grant in which partner service agencies are provided with funding for a wide array of programs. These programs provide housing with services to the homeless population along a “Continuum of Care.”
The three basic program types are:
• Safe Havens, housing for hard-to-reach homeless persons with severe mental illnesses who are on the streets and have been unable or unwilling to participate in supportive services;
• Transitional Housing, housing in which homeless persons live for up to 24 months and receive supportive services that enable them to live more independently and
• Permanent Housing, long-term community-based housing and supportive services for homeless persons with disabilities.
The intent of this type of supportive housing is to enable this special needs population to live as independently as possible in a permanent setting.
Shelter Plus Care Program
The Shelter Plus Care Program (S+C) is designed to link rental assistance to supportive services for hard-to-serve homeless persons with disabilities (primarily those who are seriously mentally ill; have chronic problems with alcohol, drugs, or both; or have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related diseases) and their families. The program provides grants to be used for rental assistance for permanent housing for homeless persons with disabilities.
Rental assistance grants must be matched by supportive services that are equal in value to the amount of rental assistance and appropriate to the needs of the population to be served. S+C is authorized by title IV, subtitle F. of the Stewart B. Mc Kinney Homeless Assistance Act (the McKinney Act).
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program
The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program addresses the specific needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. HOPWA, established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), makes grants to local communities, states, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low income persons medially diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families.
HOPWA funding provides housing assistance and related supportive services as part of HUD’s Consolidated Planning initiative that works in partnership with communities and neighborhoods in managing Federal funds appropriated to HIV/AIDS programs. HOPWA grantees are encouraged to develop community-wide strategies and form partnerships with area nonprofit organizations. HOPWA funds may be used for a wide range of housing, social services, program planning, and development costs.
These include, but are not limited to, the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of housing units; costs for facility operations; rental assistance; and short-term payments to prevent homelessness. HOPWA funds also may be used for health care and mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, nutritional services, case management, assistance with daily living, and other supportive services.
Many beneficiaries receive supportive services that are funded by HOPWA or other related public and private programs. In fact, states and cities leverage approximately two dollars for every one dollar provided by the HOPWA program, according to HUD reports.
For more information on these programs, contact Lisa Sanchez at 401 457-1197 or lsanchez@rhodeislandhousing.org.
LIEAP will officially open for general intake on Monday, December 6th, and close at the end of the day on Friday, December 10th. Applications may be obtained at local DHHR offices, Community Action agencies, or senior centers operated by an Area Agency on Aging. The online application will also be available on the DHHR website at www.wvinroads.org. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must be seen by a DHHR Worker.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) assists eligible households with the cost of home heating through direct cash payments or payments to utility companies on their behalf. A crisis component is available for households without resources facing the loss of a heating source. Eligibility for both program components is based on a combination of factors, including income, type of heating payment, and total heating costs.
LIEAP is funded entirely by a federal block grant. The program's duration and the amount of the payment is dependent on the amount of the grant. A portion of the grant is transferred to the Office of Economic Opportunity for the Weatherization Program. Applicants for LIEAP may be referred to Weatherization for additional assistance.
The Division of Family Assistance (DFA) operates LIEAP in each of the DHHR field offices for a short time each winter, usually beginning with an automated payment or a mail-out to targeted households. In addition, DFA contracts with the Community Action network and with regional Agency on Aging offices to perform outreach and accept LIEAP applications at their local sites.
View the FY 2011 LIEAP Fact Sheet below for further information, including income guidelines. If you have questions, please contact your local County Office.
The Special Reduced Residential Service Rate Program (20% Utility Discount Program) was established by statute to assist certain eligible participants in receiving a 20% discount from their electric and/or gas company.
In order to be eligible for this rate reduction, one must be a recipient of either SSI, WV WORKS, or SNAP (former Food Stamp Program) AND be 60 years of age or older. One must be a recipient of one of these programs during November, December, January, February, and March to get the discount for that month.
The electric and/or gas company will be responsible for determining your eligibility for the Special Reduced Residential Service Rate.
Through Tel-Assistance/Lifeline, telephone companies offer reduced basic service to eligible low-income elderly and disabled customers. The Division of Family Assistance issues applications to eligible recipients and provides ongoing eligibility information to the telephone companies and informs them when customers are no longer eligible for Tel-Assistance. This is handled centrally by the Division of Family Assistance.
Through Link Up, telephone companies offer a discount on telephone installation to low-income households. Applications and certification of eligibility are handled centrally by the Division of Family Assistance.
For information and resources visit my blog at
There are several programs in Massachusetts to help low-income households pay for their heating fuel and other utilities. Government help is available to pay for fuel, weatherization, and heating system repairs. In addition, low-income customers can get utility discounts, utility shutoff protection, and help from non-government programs.
For more information about Massachusetts energy assistance programs, click on a program name below:
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), usually called fuel assistance, helps low-income households in Massachusetts pay their heating bills. LIHEAP eligibility is based on gross household income. Both homeowners and renters in Massachusetts may apply for this low-income energy assistance program. Most fuel assistance households also qualify for weatherization, utility discounts, and emergency furnace repairs for homeowners. Use the online Fuel Assistance Eligibility Check to see if you might qualify for fuel assistance benefits.
Citizens Energy heat assistance programs give financial help to low-income Massachusetts residents who cannot afford to pay their heating bills. Citizens Energy has a program for people who use heating oil, and a program for people who heat with natural gas. The Oil Heat Program gives a voucher for free heating oil to low-income families and elderly residents of Massachusetts. The Citizens Energy Distrigas program gives a gas bill credit to eligible Massachusetts households who heat with natural gas.
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps people in need pay for their winter heating fuel and other energy bills. The Fund is for people who are facing a short-term financial crisis and do not qualify for government fuel assistance programs.
Utility arrearage programs help Massachusetts households pay overdue utility bills. Utility arrearage programs help households prevent utility shutoffs or restore utility service that has already been shut off. The programs offer payment plans, debt forgiveness, or a combination of the two.
Utility discounts are lower rates charged to low-income Massachusetts customers for gas, electricity, and telephone service. Massachusetts law requires regulated utility companies to offer discounted rates to customers who receive public assistance benefits and meet income limits.
Massachusetts laws prevent utility companies from shutting off service to households in special situations. These include senior households, low-income families with infants, and people with serious illnesses who cannot afford to pay their utility bills. During the winter months, utility companies cannot shut off heating-related utilities for households with a financial hardship.
MassSAVE is an energy savings program for Massachusetts homeowners and renters. MassSAVE offers energy tips and information about free home energy assessments, energy-saving products, and loans, rebates, and other incentives for energy-saving home improvements.
The Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income people pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants and crisis grants. You need not have an unpaid bill to receive home heating energy assistance. You can receive this money without being in the Cash Assistance program -- a family of four with an annual income of up to $35,280 can qualify for assistance. No lien is placed on your property if you receive this help.
Applications for LIHEAP are available beginning November 1, 2010 until March 31, 2011. The Department of Public Welfare may extend or shorten the program depending upon the availability of federal funds.
The fastest way to apply and to check to see if we made a decision about your application is by applying through COMPASS, the online resource for cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services.
You can also:
English- Energy Assistance Application Spanish-Energy Assistance Application
For more information, please contact your local county assistance office or contact the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886).
Crisis Grants
Beginning November 1, 2010 through January 2, 2011, households without heat may qualify for additional help. To be considered “without heat”:
OR
Households without heat should contact the local county assistance office.
Beginning January 3, 2011, additional money may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat.
Emergency situations include:
Assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day; in most counties, you should contact your local county assistance office. However, residents of the four counties listed below are encouraged to directly contact their local agencies that operate the crisis component in their areas:
General Information about LIHEAP:
LIHEAP Eligibility Information
LIHEAP Benefit Amount Table: shows benefit amount based on user selected county and fuel type.
Additional Low Income Energy Programs
You may be eligible for other energy assistance programs for low income households in addition to the LIHEAP program.
Visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for information on energy programs available for low-income households.
If you live outside of Philadelphia, visit the $1 Energy Fund at www.dollarenergy.org or contact your utility company for information on programs that may help you pay your utility bill.
If you live in Philadelphia, visit the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) at www.uesfacts.org or call (215) 972-5170 for information on a program that may help you pay your utility bill.
Utilities Casework Coordinator: Pam Douglas 801-627-0000
Main Office: 2955 Harrison Boulevard Suite 204, Ogden, UT 84403 : (801) 627-0000
To print off a utiltity assistance application please Click here
What are the REACH and Lend-A-Hand programs?
These are the names of the utility assistance programs administered by the American Red Cross to aid customers of Questar Gas and Rocky Mountain Power. The program names show Utahns' willingness to help their neighbors in need. REACH stands for Residential Energy Assistance through Community Help.
The purpose of these utility programs is to provide limited emergency financial assistance to people who are experiencing difficulty paying utility obligations. Assistance is not intended to relieve the client/family of their responsibilities and obligations, but is meant to assist them while they develop a practical plan for meeting their own needs.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for REACH and Lend-A-Hand?
You must be low income and have someone in the household that is age 60 or over, OR have a permanent or temporary disability. The utility bill(s) must be in the name of a household member and have a past due amount. A disability verification can be a social security or doctor's statement that a client cannot work due to illness, accident, or injury for 90 days or longer.
What Utility bills can receive assistance?
Questar Gas and Rocky Mountain Power are the only utilities that qualify for assistance.
How often can I receive assistance?
You can receive assistance with each utility only once every fiscal year. The fiscal year of the American Red Cross begins July 1st and ends June 30th.
What if my Utilities are shut off?
Accounts that are closed can not receive assistance. Accounts that are shut off but not closed can receive assistance.
What Do I need to bring to my Appointment?
You will need to bring all of the following:
What other Utility Assistance programs are available?
There is the HEAT Energy Assistance Program and the HEAT Crisis Intervention Assistance. HEAT Crisis is available all year long but is only for those with an energy emergency such as a 48 hour shutoff notice, or a utility shut off.
How do I contact these programs?
The phone number for the HEAT Program is (801) 394-9774.
Can I receive assistance from HEAT as well as the Red Cross?
You can go to both programs. The HEAT Program and the American Red Cross are separate agencies.
Remember you MUST go to the HEAT Program during the winter months, between November and April, before coming to the American Red Cross.
Utility Assistance Programs are funded from:
These donations are forwarded to the American Red Cross for distribution.
Eligibility criteria are established in coordination with the American Red Cross Utility Advisory Committee, a special group consisting of representatives from local humanitarian groups, community organizations and businesses.
