Homelessness
Homelessness is a complex issue that affects students in many different ways. In order to assist the students of Penn State York in meeting their needs, a list of resources have been developed to provide them with avenues to access.
Contacting these resources below can help answer a number of questions and provide information on various topics to meet individual and family needs, including access to health insurance. Depending on income status, medical assistance is available, providing low to no cost health coverage, to those who qualify.
Adams County Assistance Office
225 South Franklin Street
P.O. Box 4446
Gettysburg, PA 17325-4446
Toll Free: 800-638-6816
Phone: 717-334-6241
FAX: 717-334-4104
Lancaster County Assistance Office
832 Manor Street
P.O. Box 4967
Lancaster, PA 17604-4967
Phone: 717-299-7411
LIHEAP (cash) 717-299-7543
LIHEAP (crisis) 717-299-7543
FAX: 717-299-7565
York County Assistance Office
130 N. Duke Street
P.O. Box 15041
York, PA 17405-7041
Phone: 717-771-1100
Toll Free: 800-991-0929
LIHEAP 800-991-0929
FAX: 717-771-1261
Housing
Housing is a significant area of concern. The basic needs that housing provides are necessary in order for students to have a place to study, recharge, and rest after attending classes. Therefore, the following resources are available to assist those in need of housing and housing assistance.
York County Department of Public Welfare Office
Homeless Assistance Program County Contact List
ADAMS: Adams County Courthouse, 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-337-9820, FAX: 717-334-2091
LANCASTER: Community Action Program, 601 South Queen Street Box 599, Lancaster, PA 17608
Phone: 717-299-7301, FAX: 717-299-9341
YORK: Department of Human Services, 100 West Market Street, Suite 401, York, PA 17401
Phone: 717-771-9347, FAX: 717-771-4663
Services Provided
- Case Management
- Rental Assistance
- Bridge Housing
- Emergency Shelter
- Innovative Supportive Housing Service
- Emergency Shelter Allowance (ESA)
Temporary Housing: Bell Socialization
717-845-9536
Family Shelter (30 days)
Bell Bridge Housing (up to 1 year for qualified applicants)
Bell’s Possibilities program (young mothers)
Lifepath Christian Ministries
363-373 West Market Street
York, PA 17405
Food
Food is a vital necessity. However, when resources are limited, finding appropriate nourishment can be difficult. The following resources are available to assist with providing food for you and your family.
FREE Food
- Free 50-pound food box can show up at 8:00 p.m. Fridays at the Cherry Lane entrance to Central Market
- Gateway Church
50 Blunston lane
York, PA 17406
717-252-4148
(First, third, and fifth Thursdays, 4:00-6:00 p.m.)
York County Department of Public Welfare Office
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
York County Food Bank
yorkfoodbank.org
254 W Princess St
York, PA 17401
717-846-6435
Catholic Harvest Food Pantry
628 E Market Street
York, PA 17403
717-846-8571
The Well
408 West Market Street
York, PA 17401
717-852-7345
Rear of Union Lutheran Church in the basement
Hours: Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. by appt. ONLY by calling 717-846-8899
Individuals seeking assistance must bring a photo ID and Social Security Card
Emmanuel Food Pantry
825 East Princess St.
York, PA 17403
717-854-6567
Dover Area Foodbank
1832 Industrial Ct
Dover, PA 17315
717-292-9876
Columbia Food Bank
340 Locust Street
Columbia, PA 17512
717-684-8496
Intake: Monday, 9:30-11:15 a.m.
Pick-up: Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Columbia, Mountville, Manor, West Hempfield residents
Clothing
Another important and commonly overlooked area of need is suitable clothing. When funds are limited, the allocated resources are used towards meeting other needs. The following churches and organizations provide varying levels of clothing to meet student’s needs.
Harvest of Blessing Food and Clothing Bank
339 South George Street
York, PA 17401
717-808-4209
Provides a clothing bank and food pantry one day per week. Some appointments are needed.
Hanover Area Council Of Churches
136 Carlisle Street
Hanover, PA 17331
717-633-6353
Low income individuals can receive free clothes, winter coats, and related items. The general public of York County can shop for low priced goods.
Salvation Army
30 East King Street
York, PA 17401
717-848-2364
A thrift store sells gently used goods, furniture, and more.
Additional assistance includes:
- FREE Christmas help from Angel tree
- Large clothing room to those in need
- Holiday gifts for children through the Angel Tree and Christmas cheer programs
- FREE gently used winter coats for children and adults through the Coats for Kids program
- School shoes for children
York Benevolent Association
301 Kings Mill Road
York, PA 17403
717-845-2494
York Rescue Mission-Economy Stores
York
283 West Market Street
717-845-7662
Dover
67 North Main Street
717-292-7832
Covenant Food Pantry / Clothing Bank
250 Bethlehem Church Road
Red Lion, PA 17356
717-244-9540
Neighbors Helping Neighbors of York
York, PA
717-434-7656
FREE to income qualified families who register
- Cleaning supplies
- Furniture and appliances
- Holiday toys and other support from the organization
Salvation Army Thrift Store
1090 Haines Road
York, PA 17402
717-840-1300
Sells gently used items at reduced rates, including furniture, clothes, baby supplies, shoes, etc.
Catholic Harvest Clothing Closet
628 East Market St.
York, PA 17403
717-846-8571
Community Progress Council
213 East Lancaster Street
Red Lion, PA 17356
717-417-3354
Runs a back to School program with notebooks, uniforms, and related goods
FREE Christmas program
Elijah Outreach Ministry Thrift Shop and Soup Kitchen
509 East Main Street
Dallastown, PA 17313
717-246-9607
Provides free clothing, medication, and some household items for the family
Emmanuel's Closet
780 Lombard Road
Red Lion, PA 17356
717-244-0655
Provides free or low cost basic clothing items for adults and children
(Shirts, dresses, pants, hats and jackets)
Food and groceries are offered too
New Hope Ministries, Dover
1836 Industrial Court
Dover, PA 17315
717-292-3441
Material assistance for clothing, electric bills
Job referrals, budgeting workshops, and other support
Mobile Suiting Program
841 Vogelsong Road
York, PA 17404
717-764-3330
Women can get work attire and clothes for an interview
Local job training programs
Each Dress for Success client receives one suit or dress
Red Lion Area Community Services, Inc.
15 First Avenue
Red Lion, PA 17356
717-244-6934
The Warm Program distributes donated hats, gloves, blankets, scarves, socks, and sweaters
Southern Community Services
44 S. Main Street
Shrewsbury, PA, 17361
Northeast Community Center
216 Chestnut St.
York, PA 17403
717-845-5641
American Red Cross
529 Carlisle Street
Hanover, PA 17331
717-637-3768
724 S. George Street
York, PA 17401
717-845-2751
Basic needs are offered in times of disaster, such as a fire or flood
Food, shelter, clothing, household items
Financial Resources
Financial resources are limited, which has resulted in difficulty with housing, health insurance, and food allocation. However, the following agencies may resources and suggestions to assist with financial endeavors.
York County Department of Public Welfare Office
Cash Assistance Programs
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Diversion Program
Community Progress Council
213 East Lancaster Street
Red Lion, PA 17356
717-417-3354
Financial aid for heating and energy bills
New Hope Ministries, Dover
1836 Industrial Court
Dover, PA 17315
717-292-3441
Material assistance for clothing, electric bills
Penn State York Financial Aid
Penn State York Student Emergency Fund
Student Affairs Office
[email protected]
Social Support
Homelessness is a very isolating experience. People do not want to talk about their circumstances for a variety of reasons; embarrassment and shame being a couple of the reasons. Therefore, the resources have been made available.
Other Resources
Furthermore, additional government grants may be available to assist with meeting long term needs. For more information, click on the link and contact the various individuals.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize the nonprofit, public and private sectors of society in an alliance to end homelessness. This site has an extensive selection of referral links to help you if you are homeless and puts you in touch with providers who can assist you.
The National Coalition for the Homeless is one of America’s top 100 charities and has a section on their Web site that gives you step-by-step instructions on what to do if you are facing homelessness.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has many programs to assist the homeless and has specific information for obtaining help in your area if you are homeless.
Attendant Care / Act 150 - Information for mentally-alert Pennsylvanians with physical disabilities.
COMMCARE Waiver - Home and community-based program developed for individuals who experience a medically determinable diagnosis of traumatic brain injury.
Consolidated Waiver for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities - Provides services to eligible persons with intellectual disabilities so that they can remain in the community.
Independence Waiver - Provides services to persons with physical disabilities to allow them to live in the community and remain as independent as possible.