The Women's Help Center/Community Help Center
The Women's Help Center /Community Help Center has been identified as the Housing Hub in Cambria County by the Cambria County Housing Consortium. Below are some of the program offerings.
- Emergency Shelter - provides immediate shelter for women and families experiencing episodic homelessness due to circumstances such as domestic violence, financial hardship, and other safety or housing-related needs. The program is available 24/7 with staffing, provides food, clothing, and a secure family-oriented facility, and support services. Requests for service and admission are subject to approval and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Individuals should explore other community resources available prior to requesting shelter.
- Transitional Housing - for individuals in need of housing for a period longer than 30 days. The program can provide services for up to 24 months. Emergency shelter residents are assessed for their housing needs and may utilize the transitional housing program to enable them to achieve full self-sufficiency. The program has 9 fully furnished apartments in the community and provides ongoing case management, monitoring, monthly food distribution, and emergency food and supplies.
- Financial Literacy - workshops are provided by certified counselors for Building Your Financial House. Comprised of a series of seven workshops that cover topics including taxes, credit savings, and budgeting.
- HUD Certified Housing Counselors/Housing and Resource Navigator - individuals can work with certified housing counselors on a variety of housing issues related to renting, home ownership, and budgeting. The Housing and Resource Navigator is available to assist in locating rentals, accessing housing programs, and linkages to housing resources.
- Prepared Renters Program - workshop delivered by certified instructors to educate individuals on responsibilities of rents, understanding a lease, and landlord responsibilities.
- Information and Referral - available 24/7 to provide a variety of information and resources on community services
Breaking the Barriers
Breaking the Barriers offers Transitional Housing. They provide housing for homeless individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. They also have a Community Based Case Management program where coordinators provide case management support and resources for individuals 18 years or older enrolled in HealthChoices.
Cambria County Assistance Office
The Cambria County Assistance Office can offer an Emergency Shelter Allowance through funding from the Department of Human Services as the payor of last resort. Grants are available up to $400. Recipients must show their ability to pay future rent. You can apple through the Cambria County Assistance Office or statewide at (877) 395-8930.
Cambria County Behavioral Health and Developmental Supports Program
CCBH/DS can offer a housing assessment and referral to different programs available in the county (bridge housing, transitional housing, etc.)
CCBH/DS offers many additional services to residents of Cambria County and more information can be found by clicking the link to their website below.
Center for Population Health
Community Care HUB, Community Health Workers, work with individuals to reduce both medical and social barriers to care, like employment, housing, and transportation for individuals with complex health needs. Current HUB eligibility includes:
- Pregnant individuals or parenting children (0-18 months), live in Cambria or Somerset County and receive (or are eligible for) medical assistance.
- Greater Johnstown Elementary School and Somerset Area School District families with social determinants of health needs
- Individuals living in Cambria County who receive medical assistance with a mental health and/or substance use diagnosis
- Housing insecure individuals (direct referrals from the Community Help Center or Johnstown Housing Authority)
Community Action Partnership of Cambria County
Community Action Partnership of Cambria County offers a Housing Assistance Program (HAP). This program offers one month of rent up to $750 for individuals under 200% the Federal Poverty Line. They also offer an Emergency Solutions Grant that helps individuals experiencing homelessness with security deposit and up to six months of rent.
Greater Johnstown Landlord Association
- Bridge Housing - Rental assistance for up to one year for individuals who can be self-sustaining in one year. Must be homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.
- Cambria County Comprehensive Housing - Permanent supportive housing similar to Section 8. Requirements: health barrier determined by Cambria County Behavioral Health
- Clearinghouse - List of landlord to call about housing. Informal landlord and tenant conflict resolution and non-legal advice
Johnstown Housing Authority
The Johnstown Housing Authority offers a Public Housing Program and a Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8 Housing. The Public Housing Program provides housing to low-income, very low income, and extremely low income individuals and families. Eleven complexes designate for low-income families and individuals. Four complexes designated for the elderly, disabled, or handicapped. The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental subsidy to very low income and extremely low-income families and individuals throughout Cambria County. The program is designed to provide applicants an opportunity to choose housing on the open market from private landlords who participate in the program.
Victim Services
Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter
Victim Services' Hope House Program provides a safe place to escape for victims of domestic violence and their children who are in danger. They can also provide emergency safe housing for victims of trafficking.
While in safe housing, their staff assist residents in finding stable housing and moving forward with their lives after violence.
Residents have access to all of the services offered at the agency while they are in safe housing, including counseling, trauma therapy, case management, support groups, and more.
If you, or someone you know, is in need of emergency safe housing services,
please call their 24-hour helpline at 1-800-755-1983.
Peer Empowerment Network Drop-In Center
The Drop-In Center is open Monday to Thursday 10 AM - 3 PM. Friday 10 AM - 2 PM. Evening and weekend hours posted on website calendar each month.
PEN provides a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for adults living with and recovering from a mental health issue. The Center provides an atmosphere of acceptance where individuals feel needed and grow in self-worth, dignity, and self-respect.
PEN offers a Supportive Housing Program that provides housing assistance to individuals with mental illness and/or substance use for up to 6 months. Pays for rental arrears, current rent, and utility assistance.
Inglis
Regional Housing Coordinators support case managers in finding resources and brainstorming for their clients who need extra supports due to being a Senior and/or having a disability. Regional Housing Coordinators do not help people directly find places to live, but support case managers with resources in the form of trainings, Information and Referral Requests, connecting to resources like Home Modifications at Inglis.
Regional Housing Coordinators are available to assist service providers in identifying local, regional, and statewide resources for their consumers. RHC’s are well connected across the Commonwealth and will be able to assist in finding the most appropriate resources. We offer this resource and information sharing in an easy to use online request form.
Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania (SDHP) advocates for accessible, affordable, and integrated housing opportunities for individuals
with disabilities.
SDHP’s team of Regional Housing Coordinators partner with community stakeholders to provide technical assistance and deliver trainings to increase choice and affordability in housing for people with disabilities and older adults.
SDHP also works closely with partnering organizations, government institutions, and other entities to promote effective public policies and inclusive regulatory rules in accessible housing on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
SDHP is the statewide waitlist administrator for the 811 Project Rental Assistance Program (sdhp811@inglis.org)and provides training and technical assistance to service providers wishing to refer their participants to the program.
Trainings include:
- 811 Project Rental Assistance Program overview
- Addressing a housing crisis
- Assistance animals
- Eviction prevention and processes
- Home modifications
- Navigating income-based housing options
- PREP (Prepared Renters Education Program)
- Tenants’ Rights: Fair Housing and beyond
- Housing Choice Vouchers
Eligibility is as follows: household income at/below 150% of the median income, income reduction or increase of living expenses due to Covid, currently own or occupy a home.
Veteran's Leadership Program
Veteran's Leadership Program
The Veteran's Leadership Program assists homeless veterans or veterans who are risk of becoming homeless. They have a Grant or Per Diem (bridge housing) program. There are scattered sites in Altoona and Johnstown areas, with 10 beds to temporarily house veterans while they seek permanent housing.
Requirements:
- Served active duty outside of training
- A discharge that is not Dishonorable or General Court Martial
- No income limits
- Does not need to be VA eligible