Government
Community Services
Housing and Community Development
Department Summary
The Department of Housing and Community Development promotes the vibrancy of Bucks County communities through improvements to and creation of affordable housing stock, public facilities and infrastructure, and provision of public services for Bucks residents. It also is the lead agency for the Bucks County Housing Link, a public-private partnership that coordinates high quality services for those experiencing homelessness or other housing crises with intent of making such crises brief and non-reoccurring.
Department Documents and Public Notices
2020 - 2024 Consolidated Plan (Final)
Citizen Participation Plan
The Following Applications are Now Open until March 8, 2021
Completed applications must be submitted to HCD@buckscounty.org
2021 CDBG Instructions and Application
2021 ESG Overviews and Application
2021 Housing HOME and HTF Instructions and Applications
Resources for Bucks County Residents
Avoiding Eviction: Resources for Bucks County Residents & Landlords
- Experiencing a Housing Crisis? - Call the Bucks County Housing Link Today at 800-810-4434 and visit the Housing Link website to learn more.
The CARES Act provides additional eviction protections for tenants living in properties that have federal subsidies, FHA-insurance, or low-income housing tax credit properties. Further information on this can be found through Regional Housing Legal Services: https://www.rhls.org/coronavirus-federal-protections-for-renters/
Rental Assistance is Available to Qualified Tenants
All tenants may not be evicted without first receiving notice to appear at court and an order of possession.
Steps to Take if you are having difficulty paying rent:
https://www.buckscounty.org/AvoidingEvictions
Every effort should be made to pay your rent when it is due. If rent payment is a concern, due to loss or reduction of income caused by the effects of the Coronavirus, please take the following steps:
- Contact your landlord to discuss your situation and payment options. Repayment options can include rent deferral, rent reduction, or even rent forgiveness. Any agreement between you and your landlord should be put in writing.
- Explore other sources and supports to assist you in keeping your rent up to date including family,
friends, etc.
- If you are having trouble paying your rent, call Housing Link (1‐800‐810‐4434) as soon as possible to be connected to a Housing Coach that can determine eligibility for rental assistance.
- Due to high call volume, you might need to hold or leave a voicemail. If you can’t hold, leave a message stating you are seeking rental assistance and a good contact number and an operator will reach out as soon as possible.
- Landlords - Please encourage tenants who are behind on rent to contact Housing Link as soon as possible. Payments are made directly to landlords.
The CDC has ordered a temporary halt to evictions (for non‐payment of rent only) until March 31st, 2021 if you meet certain criteria and Declare it to your landlord:
- You’ve made best efforts to obtain government assistance for rent (e.g. calling Housing Link)
- You meet certain income requirements and can’t pay your rent due to loss of income
- You have made best efforts to make timely rental payments (either full or partial)
If you think you meet the criteria above, complete the Declaration & provide it to your landlord immediately. If you already have an eviction hearing scheduled, be sure to attend and bring the Declaration.
Contact Housing Link For Assistance Today - Bucks County Housing Link: 1-800-810-4434
Additional Resources around your rights as a tenant/consumer:
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA: 877-429-5994, www.lasp.org ∙
Bucks County Consumer Protection: 215-348-6060, consumerprotection@buckscounty.org ∙
Housing Equality Center of PA: 267-419-8918, www.equalhousing.org
Please visit the Bucks County COVID-19 Information and Resources Portal for more information.
Other Programs Available:
- First Time Home Buyers (FTHB)
- Bucks County has the First Time Homebuyers Assistance Program that can provide up to $10,000 for closing costs and/or down payment assistance for eligible households. The amount of assistance is provided to the buyer as a no interest deferred mortgage due and repayable once the home is sold, transferred, refinanced for additional debt, or is no longer the principal residence.
- Bucks County contracts with Bucks County Housing Group to perform the required housing counseling and to guide applicants through the application process. The first step in the process is to attend a one hour Webinar that can be accessed on the following website: https://www.buckshousinglink.org/what-we-do/. For additional information please contact Sherry Pace with Bucks County Housing Group at 215-394-8259, ext. 126 or email space@bchg.org.
- Per the program guidelines, eligible households must have an income below 100% of the Median Family Income for Bucks County, based on family size. This information is obtained from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). See the below chart for the most recent income limits.
- Bucks County First Time Homebuyer Income Limits Effective 07/01/2020 and are updated annually.
| Household Size |
100% |
| One Person |
67,700 |
| Two Persons |
77,300 |
| Three Persons |
87,000 |
| Four Persons |
96,600 |
| Five Persons |
104,400 |
| Six Persons |
112,100 |
| Seven Persons |
119,800 |
| Eight Persons |
127,600 |
- Owner Occupied
- The Bucks County Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program provides assistance to low- and moderate- income homeowners for the repair and rehabilitation of their homes. Please contact the providers listed below for more information on program eligibility:
Description of Major Funding Sources
- CDBG
- Annually, Bucks County receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program focuses on benefiting low- and moderate-income persons, aiding in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, and/or meeting community urgent needs. Eligible activities include acquisition of real property, demolition and rehabilitation of structures, construction of public facilities, provision of handicap access, historic preservation, community planning, and energy conservation. https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/cdbg
- HOME
- The HOME program seeks to expand the availability of affordable housing for low income residents through partnerships between the public and private sectors. Eligible program activities include the acquisition, demolition, rehabilitation, or new construction of affordable units to the target groups. In addition the program also seeks to provide homeownership and tenant-based rental assistance. For Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Projects, applications are accepted on a rolling basis based on the availability of funds.
- Housing Trust Fund (HTF)
- The Bucks County Housing Trust Fund broadly supports efforts that promote affordable housing in the County. It's mainstay program is the First Time Homebuyer program (referenced above) and serving as gap financing for affordable housing development (when it is considered in conjunction with HOME funds). The approval of any Housing Trust Fund application is subject to the availability of funding.
- ESG
- Bucks County receives an annual grant from the federal government to help it address homelessness and related issues. The county allocates the funds to local agencies involved in the provision of shelter and services to homeless populations. The main program objectives include improving the quality of existing emergency shelter facilities and quality of services, funding housing location efforts for those experiencing homelessness, and funding rapid rehousing programs to quickly end episodes of homelessness https://www.bchg.org/what-we-do.html. Eligible activities include renovation, rehabilitation, or conversion of structures, provision of essential services, homeless prevention efforts, and operation of shelter facilities. Funding applications are available on or about December 1st and are due at the Department on the first Friday of the year.
For additional questions about funding, please contact the department at hcd@buckscounty.org.
Past Applications
Contact Us
- For questions about programs, funding sources, or applications, contacting the Department at hcd@buckscounty.org