HELP Ministries

The application process for the Rental Assistance Program is an appointment-based process, with the application being filled out at the office as part of the appointment.

As of 12/18/20204, our rental assistance appointment calendar is full until the end of January. We will only be accepting walk-ins/making emergency appointments for those who have an order of possession from the courts or who are on the streets or in emergency shelter and needing move-in assistance. If you believe you qualify for one of these emergency appointments, you can CALL the HELP Ministries office at 717-238-2851 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. You will be asked some screening questions to determine if you meet the qualifications for an emergency appointment. If you are qualified to apply, a staff member will call you back to schedule an appointment and give you a list of documents you must bring along to your appointment in order for us to determine if you are eligible for assistance.

These are the remaining dates in December when a very limited number of emergency walk-in appointments may be available: Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 23, Dec. 24, Dec. 30, Dec. 31

If you are not qualified to apply for an emergency appointment, you can call our office the week of January 27, 2025 to see if there are appointments available in February.

The most important part of making the rental assistance application process go efficiently is for you to bring all necessary documentation with you to your appointment. (see below)

If you are looking for assistance with back rent or security deposit for a rooming house rental, you can call the HELP Ministries office to make that request and you will be called back in order of requests received. No appointment is necessary for rooming house assistance.

HELP is the first point of contact for intake into the following emergency shelters: the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg Emergency Shelter, Shalom House, and Interfaith Family Shelter. Emergency shelter is available on a first-come first-serve basis and is subject to availability.

HELP works with emergency shelter staff to assist clients in area emergency shelters to identify follow-up housing resources.

HELP may assist households who are currently homeless (in emergency shelters or on the streets) to obtain an apartment through security deposit and initial rental assistance, along with case management and budget counseling.

HELP can provide financial assistance to people needing life-sustaining medication on an emergency, one-time basis. This service is often used to bridge gaps in medical insurance.

HELP reserves this service for specific situations, such as 1) stranded travelers; 2) homeless individuals that have verified housing available out of the area; or 3) individuals starting a job who need a limited-time bus pass.

HELP provides referrals to area food pantries listed in the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s referral guide.

HELP is a resource for information and referrals for other community resources.

HELP may provide one-time assistance to people needing heating fuel during the winter heating season. Clients must exhaust any and all other energy assistance programs before they receive assistance.