Security Deposit and First Month's Rent Help From Berks Community Action Program

The Homeless Assistance Program at Berks Community Action Program helps families who are homeless or facing homelessness through eviction or other circumstances by making a rental-related payment directly to the landlord.

To qualify you have to meet certain eligibility criteria, including income guidelines and the ability to maintain the rental agreement on an ongoing basis. The program page does not print the income figures, so ask the office what the limits are. The page does not state a service area for this program; BCAP describes its services generally as for low-income Berks County residents.

If you are approved, the payment covers a security deposit, first month's rent or both, and it goes straight to the landlord rather than to you.

To apply, download and print the Homeless Assistance Program pre-screening application from the program page at bcapberks.org and complete it before your appointment. The program page also links a document about the eligibility criteria and the items needed to complete your rental application. The page does not say how appointments are scheduled, what documents to bring, how long a decision takes, or whether there is any cost, so ask when you get in touch.

The office is at 645 Penn Street, 3rd Floor, Reading, PA 19601, with mail going to 645 Penn Street, 3rd floor, PO Box 22, Reading, PA 19601. For general questions, BCAP staff are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 610-376-6571, and the office is closed for lunch daily from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Those are the general office hours and number rather than a separate intake line for this program. You can also email info@bcapberks.org or send the Request Information form on the website.

Source: bcapberks.org/homeless-assistance, read September 18, 2026.

The details

Call610-376-6571At Berks Community Action Program, our helpful staff is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to answer your questions. Call us at 610-376-6571 or contact us online by submitting the…
Who it’s for
After meeting certain eligibility criteria(artículos que se necesitan para completar su solicitud de alquiler) , including income guidelines and the ability to maintain the rental agreement on an ongoing basis, BCAP makes a rental-related payment directly to the landlord to pay for a security deposit, first month’s rent or both.
Families, People without housing
CostNot stated on their site.
How to apply
Click on the button below to download and print the Pre-screening application Pre-screening Application or download the Homeless Assistance Program Pre-screening application and complete it prior to your appointment.
Apply with Berks Community Action Program
WhereBerks Community Action Program645 Penn Street 3rd Floor, Reading, PA 19601Get directions →More in Reading
CheckedChecked September 18, 2026

In Berks Community Action Program’s words

The Homeless Assistance Program helps families who are homeless or facing homelessness through eviction or other circumstances. After meeting certain eligibility criteria(artículos que se necesitan para completar su solicitud de alquiler) , including income guidelines and the ability to maintain the rental agreement on an ongoing basis, BCAP makes a rental-related payment directly to the landlord to pay for a security deposit, first month’s rent or both.

Organization

Berks Community Action Program

Organization profile in our directory →

About this listing

This listing summarizes publicly available information from bcapberks.org/homeless-assistance. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.

All help in Berks County →

More from Berks Community Action Program

All help from Berks Community Action Program

Other rent and eviction help help near Reading

All rent help in Berks County