Housing and Sheltering Resources and News

++ Housing, utilities, and food assistance are among the top needs of people seeking assistance nationwide, a survey conducted for United Way Worldwide finds.  Read more.

++ AID in PA is a collaborative effort between ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) and its subsidiary teams #ASDNext and the Philly Autism Project, the HCQUs (Health Care Quality Units) across the state and Temple University’s department of Disability Resources and Services, all operating under Pennsylvania’s ODP (Office of Developmental Programs).  They have produced trauma-informed sensory positive toolkits for the purpose of informing self-advocates, shelter staff/volunteers, families, caregivers, and Direct Support Professionals (DSP) on how to best support persons with sensory needs, including individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism in a disaster shelter setting. These toolkits are available to download, print, and share here.

++ The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications. This federally funded program helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are $21,870 for an individual, $29,580 for a couple and $45,000 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office. The deadline for applying for LIHEAP is April 5, 2014.

++  Sheltering Taskforce Information:  Contact: Christine Heyser – [email protected].  Sheltering Toolkit here:  https://bit.ly/COVID-19ShelteringTaskforce

++ The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Disaster Housing Recovery Update is available.  In it you will find news of the United Nations Buildings and Climate Forum in Paris, France, and HUD’s efforts to decarbonize and increase resiliency within its programs and housing portfolio. In addition to helping tackle the climate crisis, investing in energy efficiency measures makes homes more resilient to climate-fueled disasters and reduces energy expenses. Read More.

++ The Housing Alliance is looking for workshop and presenter proposals for their 20th annual Homes Within Reach Conference, December 4 – 6, 2024, at the Hershey Lodge.  Please review RFP questions here.  Submit Your Workshop Ideas HereThe deadline to submit workshop proposals is April 12, 2024.

++ You can visit www.dhs.pa.gov/masscare to read about mass care in Pennsylvania, disaster feeding,  and to get information about the exercise coming up in May of 2024. You can self-manage your subscriptions PA DHS publications at this site also.