In desperate need of rental assistance in Lancaster, PA

(Request from Ann in Lancaster, Pennsylvania)  i am in desperate need of rental assistance to get caught up with my rent so i don’t lose my house. my boyfriend and i broke up and he moved out and i lost my job. so is there any help out there for me? please let me know. thanks.

Dear Ann,

You may need to remind your boyfriend that he may be liable for at least a share of the rent if he also signed the lease with you. Other than gaining a roommate, it may be time to look for an alternative to your current apartment.

Your landlord will not want to discuss terminating your lease prematurely. Instead, you will need to try to find a possible renter that would be willing to sign a new lease with your landlord so that they would let you out of your current lease. Otherwise, an eviction with outstanding rent owed could both damage your credit and make qualifying to rent subsequent apartments much more difficult.

Resist the urge to apply for loans to make your rent payments. These will only prolong your situation, and ultimately you will default on those if you are unable to afford to pay the monthly loan payments in addition to your rent and utility costs. There are better options.

Emergency Rent Aid

If you only need help for a month or two, then you may want to apply for rental assistance through the Community Action Program of Lancaster County. This nonprofit organization receives funding to help families like yours that have experienced a recent financial hardship.

You will find that the rental counseling will be very beneficial as a way to determine your needs and ability to afford a place of your own. Following the counseling session, then you may be provided with cash aid to go towards rent or more importantly, with an opportunity to move into a more affordable apartment or rental home.

This will likely be the best first option for you since they have the face-to-face case management services that you need, potential cash assistance to prevent an eviction and a network of referrals to affordable housing.