Need a loan in Hummelstown PA for rent

(Request from Ronnie in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania) I have received an eviction notice, for March 17,2014, I’m looking for help, prefer to get a loan, but I do not know who to contact.

Dear Ronnie,

Since your eviction notice is only for 12 days, it is important that you act quickly in order to prevent the eviction. Eviction prevention can involve negotiation with your landlord for an extended workout agreements. Ultimately though you will need to bring cash to the table as a sign of good faith if you expect to convince your landlord to allow you to remain in the home.

We recently featured a few community resources for a tenant in nearby Harrisburg Pennsylvania who was looking for emergency rent assistance. We identified a few community organizations and resources that I think would be a good starting point for you based on your current situation.

HELP Ministries will likely be the most helpful resource that you have available to you in Hummelstown. HELP Ministries serves all of Dauphin County with an emphasis on lower income families who may be at an increased risk of homelessness. Your eviction notice certainly qualifies you as an imminent risk of homelessness. You also need to meet income-based qualifications and other restrictions in order to receive assistance.

If you want to stay in the home, HELP Ministries may be able to provide cash towards your late rent payments. Funding is limited and you must be able to prove that you would be able to afford to remain in the home if you received the assistance.

The alternative is for the agency to help you move into a more affordable rental situation. They may be able to help you with a security deposit grant as a means for helping you move on.

Due to the short timetable, I strongly recommend that you take action today. Schedule an appointment to meet with the case manager as soon as possible. You’ll need to bring a copy of your eviction notice as well as any documentation of income and family size. A copy of your lease agreement will also be necessary.

The above resources are for grant-based rental assistance. If you are currently employed and simply fell behind because of an unexpected emergency, then a loan to pay your rent would probably be a more likely option for you.

I recommend starting with your current financial institution to determine what their personal loan lending requirements and rates are. You should also be willing to contact the local credit union or community bank to see if a better loan option exists. A personal loan of a couple thousand dollars could be enough to catch up your late rent payments while allowing you the flexibility to repay the loan over a period of 12 to 24 months. You’ll need to call the credit union directly in order to determine their membership requirements and minimal loan standards.

What I do not recommend is applying for payday loans or consumer finance loans. These may be predatory in nature and are largely unaffordable. A loan in Hummelstown, PA is best obtained through a nonprofit credit union or your own financial institution.