Commission on Economic Opportunity

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Housing

A Safe Place to Call Home.

At CEO, our Case Management for the Homeless Program provides support for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Through one-on-one case management, we offer material aid and guidance to help clients regain stability and prevent future homelessness. As the lead agency for homelessness services in Luzerne County’s Continuum of Care, we coordinate resources with local shelters and community partners to strengthen the regional safety net.

Utility & Heating
Weatherization
Inquire About Services

If you or someone you know is homeless or at risk of homelessness — or just needs help finding resources — please contact CEO. We are here to listen, assist, and support you every step of the way.

What the Program Provides

Our services are available to any individual or family who meets with a CEO case manager for an intake assessment and meets eligibility requirements, including certified homeless or at-risk status and income eligibility.

A dedicated case manager who assesses your situation, coordinates support services, and helps develop a housing or stability plan.

Help navigating paperwork, support networks, and applications to make the path to stable housing as clear and manageable as possible.

Assistance integrating available support — including emergency shelter, rent or eviction prevention, transitional housing, and essential resources like food, employment, or counseling.

Referrals to CEO’s other services and community programs — from job training and veteran support, to food assistance and more.

Homeless — HUD Definition

An individual or family is considered homeless if they meet one of the following categories:

Category 1: Literally Homeless

Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:

  1. The person or family’s primary nighttime residence is a public or private place not meant for human habitation.
  2. They are living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, or hotels/motels funded by charitable or government programs).
  3. They are exiting an institution after 90 days or less, and immediately prior to entering that institution resided in emergency shelter or a place not meant for habitation.
Category 2: Imminent Risk of Homelessness

An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence, provided that:

  1. Their residence will be lost within 14 days of application for homeless assistance.
  2. No subsequent residence has been identified.
  3. The individual or family lacks resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing.
Category 3: Homeless under other Federal statutes

Unaccompanied youth under 35 years, or families with children/youth, who do not meet the standard homeless definition but who:

  1. Are defined as homeless under other listed federal statutes.
  2. Have not had a lease, ownership interest, or occupancy agreement in permanent housing during the 60 days preceding the application.
  3. Have experienced persistent instability, defined as two moves or more during the preceding 60 days.
  4. Are expected to continue in such status for an extended period due to special needs or barriers.
Category 4: Fleeing / Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence

Any individual or family who:

  1. Is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence.
  2. Has no other residence.
  3. Lacks resources or support networks needed to obtain permanent housing.
At-Risk of Homelessness — HUD Definition
An individual or family is considered at risk of homelessness if they meet the following:
  1. Their annual income is below 30% of the area median family income for the region; and
  2. They lack sufficient resources or support networks to prevent them from moving to emergency shelter or another place defined under the “homeless” definition; and
  3. One of the following conditions applies:
    • They have moved because of economic reasons two or more times within the 60 days prior to application.
    • They are living in another person’s home due to economic hardship.
    • They have received notice that their right to occupy their current housing will be terminated within 21 days of application.
    • They live in a motel or hotel and the cost is not subsidized by charitable or government programs for low-income households.
    • They have recently exited a publicly funded institution or system of care.
    • Their current housing has characteristics associated with instability and increased risk of homelessness, as identified by the approved Consolidated Plan (Con Plan).

Additionally, unaccompanied children, youth, and families may qualify under other federal statutes even if they do not meet the primary “homeless” definition.

Utility and Heating Assistance

If you’re facing shutoff or can’t afford to heat your home, Commission on Economic Opportunity — together with community partners and state and utility providers — may be able to help. We connect qualifying households to hardship assistance programs, depending on current funding availability.

UGI’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP)

Offers qualified, income-eligible customers a more manageable monthly energy bill. UGI provides CAP participants with a personalized, monthly payment amount based on gross income, household size and energy usage at the property.

UGI Operation Share

Provides energy assistance grants to qualified customers who experience difficulty paying their home utility bills.

PPL’s OnTrack Program

A special payment program for PPL customers with limited incomes who are struggling to pay the full cost of their electric service. The program offers a special reduced monthly payment based on family size and income as well as their electric usage. OnTrack also gives customers a chance to erase any debt owed to PPL.

PPL Operation Help

Provides emergency financial aid to help pay PPL utility bills for families with financial hardships.

Dollar Energy

A hardship program that provides utility assistance to customers of Pennsylvania American Water Company.

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Weatherization

The Weatherization Assistance Program aims to reduce the energy costs of low income families – primarily the elderly and families with children – by making energy efficient improvements to the home. Funding for the program comes from the Federal Government through the Department of Energy, Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant. Throughout PA the Weatherization Program is administered by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development.

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