Homebuyer Program

Our Homebuyer Program consists of

one-on-one counseling session
Homebuyer Education Workshop

After the completion of both counseling session and education workshop, you will receive a Homeownership Eduction Certificate.

Our Homebuyer Workshop covers key topics for Budgeting, Credit, Saving, Benefits and responsibilities of being a homeowner, Fair Housing & Predatory Lending.

Classes are offer monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month. We offer both online and in-person options, and in Chinese or English.

For schedule and sign up, visit: https://bit.ly/PCDC-HBESignUp

Our one-on-one counseling session consists:

evaluating mortgagor readiness;
fair housing and lending;
credit report analysis;
budgeting for mortgage payments;
improving money management skills;
selecting a real estate agent and home inspection;
how to apply for special programs available to potential homebuyers;
how to identify and avoid predatory lending practices;
locating resources for downpayment and closing cost assistance.

To schedule one-on-one counseling, you must first submit the following documents:

Signed Authorization, Disclosure, & Privacy Statement Form;
Photo ID;
Social Security Card;
Pay stubs for the past 30 days ;
Checking and Savings bank account statements forthe past 2 months;
Federal income tax returns for the past 2 years, along with W2s for the past 2 years
Monthly statements for utlities and other expenses (electric, Gas, water, phone, internet, etc.)

Documents can be dropped off at our office at 301 N 9th Street, Philadelphia PA 19107 or upload online. For the upload link, please call our service hotline at 215-922-6156 to request.

Resource Corner

For Homebuyers:

Homebuyer grant/credit offered by banks/lenders:

Bank / Lender	Grant/Credit Amount
Bank of America	Up to $7500
BB&T is now Truist Bank	Up to $2500
Citizens Bank	Up to $2500
JPMorgan Chase Bank	Up to $3000
Santander Bank	Up to $5000

For Homeowners:

Philadelphia Homestead Exemption Program – Deadline 12/1/2021

The program saves homeowners money on their Real Estate Taxes. To be eligible you must own the property and live in it as your primary residence. There are no age or income requirements. You only need to apply once unless your deed changes. Final Deadline to apply for the Homestead Exemption is December 1, 2020. Early filers should apply by September 13, 2020 to see approval reflected on your 2021 Real Estate Tax bill. Applicants approved after this date will receive a second bill.

Website: https://www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-housing/property-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/get-the-homestead-exemption

Phone: 215-686-9200

Property Tax Rebate Program (PA 1000) – Deadline 12/31/2021

The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may also file rebate claims on behalf of claimants who lived at least one day in 2018 and meet all other eligibility criteria. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.

Website: https://www.revenue.pa.gov/GeneralTaxInformation/PropertyTaxRentRebateProgram

Phone: 1-888-222-9190

Senior Citizen Tax Freeze Program (SCTX) – Deadline 1/31/2022

Your Real Estate Tax bill will be prevented from increasing if you meet certain age and income requirements. Under the Real Estate Tax freeze, the amount of property tax you pay each year will not increase, even if your property assessment or the tax rate changes. If your tax liability decreases due to a lower property assessment or a tax rate decrease, the amount of Real Estate Tax you owe will also be lowered to the new amount

Applicants must meet both age and income requirements to be found eligible for a Real Estate Tax freeze.

Age requirements:

A person aged 65 years or older;
A person who lives in the same household with a spouse who is aged 65 years or older; or
A person aged 50 years or older who is a widow of someone who reached the age of 65 before passing away.

Income requirements:

$27,500 or less for a single person; or
$35,500 or less for a married couple.

Website：https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/senior-citizen-discounts/low-income-senior-citizen-real-estate-tax-freeze/

PHDC’s Basic System Repair Program (BSRP) and Adaptive Modification Program (AMP)

Basic System Repair Program

BSRP provides repairs to correct electrical, plumbing, heating, structural and roofing emergencies in eligible owner-occupied homes in Philadelphia. Income guidelines do apply.

Website: https://phdcphila.org/residents/home-repair/basic-systems-repair-program

Adaptive Modification Program

AMP is designed to help individuals with permanent physical disabilities live more independently in their homes. It provides adaptations to a house or an apartment, allowing easier access to and mobility within the home. Incomes guidelines apply for AMP as well.

Website: https://phdcphila.org/residents/home-repair/adaptive-modifications-program

For Renters:

Philadelphia Rental Assistance Program – Phase 4

PCDC Housing Counselors and Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) assist tenants and landlords to complete their Philadelphia Phase 4 Rental Assistance applications. There has been delay in the process and please see below updates and recommendations.

Recommendations:

Please login your account and check your application status frequently at https://phlrentassist.org/as status is changing often.
Contact helpdesk online https://applynow.phlrentassist.org/#/Help or by calling 215-320-7880 (interpretation can be request)

Updates:

Portal is open for Tenants to resubmit documents for application.

Applications are categorized as landlord-initiated applications or tenant-initiated application. Currently PHDC is working on completed landlord-initiated applications.

Apply here: https://phlrentassist.org

Rent Rebate Program (PA 1000) – Deadline 12/31/2021

The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may also file rebate claims on behalf of claimants who lived at least one day in 2019 and meet all other eligibility criteria. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.