UESF

UESF was established in 1983, focusing upon the provision of emergency utility assistance for its first 26 years. Beginning in 2009, UESF began addressing the energy poverty problem in a more complete and holistic manner, as part of a larger housing stabilization issue.

What we do today

Housing Stabilization

The objectives or our program are:

1. To keep families in their homes through immediate application of emergency assistance;
2. To preserve housing for the long term through prevention resources and services, education, and self-sufficiency training;
3. To increase family income through access to benefits, many of which go untapped and/or originate from sources external to City sources.

Within the Housing Stabilization Program, the following assistance is provided:

• Utility grants
• Rent, security deposit and mortgage assistance
• Housing assistance for persons or their family members with disabilities
• Applications for assistance, including LIHEAP, SNAP, CHIP, property/rent rebates, Earned Income Tax Credit, PECO and PGW assistance programs, and food resources
• Self-Sufficiency Workshops and One-on-One Counseling

Who we serve

During FY 2011, UESF served over 5100 families. The average annual income was $13,700, or approximately 80% of the federal poverty level. The majority of these families had female heads of household.