helping people and communmities
Programs to help communities

Community Services

The Community Services program is dedicated to improving the overall condition of life in local communities, by providing essential programs to assist low-income individuals and families.

Helping our clients become more economically independent and self-sufficient is the primary goal of Community Services.

Services vary from county to county but include nutrition assistance, a broad range of housing services, and employment assistance as well.

Emergency & Housing Services

Housing Services

Provides housing-related counseling, landlord-tenant mediation, housing relocation assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance and emergency shelter.

  • Emergency Food & Shelter Program
  • Homeless Assistance Program
  • Wayne County Emergency Fund

Utility Mediation

Provides utility assistance and/or mediation to assist payment-troubled customers.  Intensive follow-up and referral services are provided. Find out more about Utility Mediation.

  • PPL on Track
  • PPL Operation Help
  • Penelec Customer Assistance Program
  • Dollar Energy
  • Valley Energy

Chore Services

Provides minor home repairs to enable handicapped and/or senior citizens to remain independent; also repair and installation of measure to reduce energy costs. (This includes environmental modifications for elderly persons under the PDA Waiver Program.)

Case Management

Provides intensive casework assisting clients in multiple service situations in an effort to achieve self-sufficiency. This includes developing a plan and budget help to establish self sufficiency.

Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance

Provides packaging of PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program for persons facing foreclosure on home mortgage due to adverse economic circumstances.

Emergency Food Program

Provides food commodities to give nutritional assistance to person facing food shortage-related emergencies.  Food banks are located in Montrose, Oakland (Susquehanna County) and Dushore (Sullivan County). Click here to find out more about this program.

Outreach And Referral

Intensive outreach and referral to assist clients in linkage with other services.

Access Program

Provides low and moderate-income residents, with permanent disabilities, increased accessibility in their homes. Modifications to their homes will prevent institutionalization and enable people with disabilities to remain in their community. In Bradford and Tioga Counties contact Tracey Kelly, Access Coordinator 570-888-0412 Ext 2

Staff and Contacts

Susquehanna County

Barbara Houlden, Community Services
1-800-892-4045 Ext 5266
Or 278-5266
Alice Strauss, Community Services
1-800-892-4045 Ext 5267
Or 278-5267
Kathy Remington, Housing Services
1-800-892-4045 ext 5289
Or 570-278-5289

Wyoming County

Alice Strauss, Community Services
1-800-982-4045 Ext 5267

Sullivan County

Peg Blanchard, Community Services
570-928-9668

Tioga County

Colie Smith, Community Services
1-866-656-7788 or 570-724-5252

Wayne County

Debbie Swendsen, Community Services Coordinator
1-888-524-2107
Or 570-253-8941

Bradford County

Tracey Kelley, Community Services Coordinator
570-888-0412 Ext 2
Cathy Moore, Community Services
570-888-0412 Ext 1