How many housing & financial resources are in Pennsylvania?

Women's Corner tracks 14 housing & financial resources for women in Pennsylvania.

Are housing & financial resources in Pennsylvania free?

14 of the 14 listed housing & financial resources in Pennsylvania are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Pennsylvania have housing & financial resources?

Listings span cities including Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.

What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Pennsylvania?

Featured entries include Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Philadelphia Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Pittsburgh, Salvation Army PA — Emergency Aid, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

6 of 14 Pennsylvania housing & financial listings include phone numbers.

How long is the Section 8 waitlist?

It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.

211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.

Can I get TANF as a single mother?

Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.

What if I'm being evicted?

Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.

Best Housing & Financial in Pennsylvania — 14 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services, MidPenn Legal Services, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) serve women.

14 Resources

1. Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) — Free

Affordable housing and rental assistance for women and families in financial need in Harrisburg. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(855) 827-3466 · 211 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Philadelphia Housing Authority — Free

Public housing and vouchers for women and families in financial need in Philadelphia. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(215) 684-4000 · 2013 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19121 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Housing Authority of Pittsburgh — Free

Public housing and rental assistance for women and families in financial need in Pittsburgh. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(412) 456-5000 · 200 Ross St Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Salvation Army PA — Emergency Aid — Free

Emergency rent and utility assistance for women and families in financial need across Pennsylvania. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm.

(800) 725-2769 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

5. Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia — Free

Affordable homeownership for women and families in financial need in Philadelphia. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

(215) 765-6000 · 1829 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19121 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. United Way of Greater Philadelphia — Financial Stability — Free

Financial coaching and emergency assistance for women and families in financial need in Pennsylvania. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Available 24/7.

211 · Philadelphia, PA · 24/7 via 211 · Visit Website

7. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

Federal housing assistance hub. Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and HUD office locator for every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

Federal homeless assistance programs and Continuum of Care contacts in every community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help with heating, cooling, and weatherization in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at acf.hhs.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Emergency shelter, rent assistance, food, utilities, and transitional housing in nearly every US community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at salvationarmyusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Emergency assistance, housing, food, and family support — local agency in nearly every diocese nationwide for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at catholiccharitiesusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways provide housing assistance, food, financial coaching and 211 referrals for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at unitedway.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for working families in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at habitat.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Family Promise — Free

National network helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence through community-based programs for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at familypromise.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Pennsylvania?: Women's Corner tracks 14 housing & financial resources for women in Pennsylvania.
Are housing & financial resources in Pennsylvania free?: 14 of the 14 listed housing & financial resources in Pennsylvania are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have housing & financial resources?: Listings span cities including Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Pennsylvania?: Featured entries include Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Philadelphia Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Pittsburgh, Salvation Army PA — Emergency Aid, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 6 of 14 Pennsylvania housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?: It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?: Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?: Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.