Housing Resources for Bucks County Residents

Avoiding Eviction

All tenants may not be evicted without first receiving notice to appear at court and an order of possession. Every effort should be made to pay your rent when it is due. If rent payment is a concern, due to loss or reduction of income due to or during the Coronavirus pandemic, please take the following steps:

  • Contact your landlord to discuss your situation and payment options. Repayment options can include rent deferral, rent reduction, or even rent forgiveness. Any agreement between you and your landlord should be put in writing.
  • Explore other sources and supports to assist you in keeping your rent up to date including family, friends, etc.
  • If you are having trouble paying your rent, apply to the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance (BERA) program as soon as possible to be reviewed for eligibility for financial assistance which can also include utility assistance.

Please refer to Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance Program (BERA) for more information. Payments are made directly to landlords.

Avoiding Foreclosure

There are many resources available to Bucks County homeowners to avoid foreclosure. The resources vary based on the circumstances of the homeowner. The Housing Counseling Agencies listed for each program below are the best contacts to assist with that particular program. Additionally, homeowners who qualify based on income may be eligible for free legal representation through Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP). Additional information about housing specific services available. Residents can apply by calling the Helpline at 877-429-5994 or applying online 24/7. For general information from PHFA about foreclosure prevention options besides the programs listed below, visit here.

Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF)

PAHAF is a program funded by the US Department of Treasury under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021 that is intended to assist eligible Pennsylvania homeowners facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began after January 21st, 2020. The program can provide financial assistance for qualified mortgage and housing-related expenses (delinquent property taxes, insurance, fees, utilities) to avoid delinquency, default, foreclosure, or displacement.

Go to the PAHAF website to learn more about eligibility and apply online. Homeowners can apply directly online, can receive assistance from the PAHAF call center or visit a Housing Counseling Agency if preferring in-person assistance. Housing Counseling Agencies in or around Bucks County who offer assistance on PAHAF applications are:

Bucks County Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program

Have you been served with a complaint in mortgage foreclosure notice and you live in your home? If so, the Bucks County Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program, through the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, is an important resource. Over the last 6 years, nearly 600 foreclosures have been avoided through the foreclosure diversion program. Over 79% cases that go through the diversion program either reach an agreement or lead to a continuance of the foreclosure process that provides more time for the homeowner and lender to reach an agreement.

Call 866-760-8911 immediately (you have 10 days from the date you were served with the foreclosure complaint) to speak with the Bucks County Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program Coordinator. If eligible, the Coordinator can file an “Order for Conference” that stops action on the complaint until at least 20 days following the conciliation conference.

The conciliation conference is a face-to-face meeting between the homeowner (borrower), a neutral mediator (from the Bucks County Bar Association), and the lender (or their attorney) that holds your mortgage. Conferences are scheduled once a month for the purposes of bringing both parties together to see if an agreement can be reached to prevent foreclosure. You must submit a proposal for addressing your mortgage delinquency at least two weeks before the date of the conference.

There are credit counseling agencies in Bucks County that can assist with developing your proposal, attend the conciliation conference with you, and advocate on your behalf with your lender to avoid foreclosure. This is a FREE service that is recommended, but not mandatory. Non-profit credit counseling agencies with offices in Bucks County who can assist with these services are:

A copy of the exhibits attached to a complaint in mortgage foreclosure notice that homeowners receive can be found here. 

Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP/ACT 91)

HEMAP is a state-funded loan program that offers protections and funding that could help you keep your home and avoid foreclosure. Under Act 91, lenders are required to send you a notice with information about HEMAP if you are facing foreclosure. 

Funds loaned must be repaid. It is not a grant. Recipients must be able to show they have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe. 

For more information go to the PHFA website and review the HEMAP Fact Sheet. To apply for HEMAP you must have a meeting (in-person or remote) with an approved credit counseling agency within 33 days of the date printed on your Act 91 notice. The meeting is free. The counseling agency will prepare the application for HEMAP and homeowners that are approved will be eligible to participate in the loan program to prevent foreclosure.   

 The agencies in or around Bucks County who offer this free service are listed below. 

Are you a victim of Housing Discrimination?

Fair housing laws protect all people seeking housing. This includes renters, homebuyers and people obtaining a mortgage or homeowners insurance. Federal, state and local fair housing laws guarantee that regardless of someone’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability, they can choose the housing that’s best for them.  

Resources for Fair Housing, reporting violations of Fair Housing or to file a Fair Housing grievance can be submitted by contacting the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania .  The Center can be contacted at (267) 419-8918 or (866) 540-FAIR.  You can also report discrimination by completing the form online.  Information regarding the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania is available at this link.  You may also contact the following agencies for additional assistance on Fair Housing issues: 

Pennsylvania Human Relation Commission 
333 Market Street, 8th Floor 
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2210
(717) 787-9780
(717) 787-7279 TTY users only

OR

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)
(800) 669-9777
TTY: (800) 877-8339
Submit this form

Philadelphia Regional Office of FHEO
The Strawbridge Building
801 Market Street, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Email:  [email protected] 
(215) 861-7646
(888) 799-2085
TTY (215) 656-3450
More information can be found here. 


First Time Home Buyers Program

Bucks County has a First Time Homebuyers Program that can provide up to $10,000 for closing costs and/or down payment assistance for eligible households. The amount of assistance is provided to the buyer as a no interest deferred mortgage due and repayable once the home is sold, transferred, refinanced for additional debt, or is no longer the principal residence.

Bucks County contracts with Bucks County Housing Group to perform the required housing counseling and to guide applicants through the application process. The first step in the process is to complete a BCHG Intake Application. Information on what you need to know about housing counseling is available on a short video on this site.

Per the program guidelines, eligible households must have an income at or below 100% of the Median Family Income for Bucks County, based on family size. This information is obtained from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). See the below chart for the most recent income limits.

Bucks County First Time Homebuyer Income Limits Effective June 15, 2022 and are updated annually.

Household SizeMedian Family Income Threshold
1 Person$73,800
2 Persons$84,400
3 Persons$94,900
4 Persons$105,400
5 Persons$113,900
6 Persons$122,300
7 Persons$130,700
8 Persons$139,200


Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program

The Bucks County Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program provides assistance to low- and moderate- income homeowners for the repair and rehabilitation of their homes. Please contact the providers listed below for more information on program eligibility:

Additional Tenant Resources