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Homelessness Prevention Assistance

The primary goal of Homelessness Prevention services is, as the program name implies, to prevent Lakewood residents from becoming homeless through a combination of case management, referrals to mainstream benefits and service providers, and cash assistance for rent and/or utilities.

About The Program

Housing Stability Case Management Services are provided to all clients. Housing stability can only be influenced by ongoing individualized services that include counseling, referrals, and links to mainstream services and benefits (including food stamps, Medicare, HEAP, and PIPP), landlord mediation when needed, and the development of an individual case plan with the goal of ensuring permanent, stable housing and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the client’s progress toward meeting the goal of maintaining sustainable housing.

Housing Search and Placement Services are provided by LCSC social workers to all clients who meet the program eligibility guidelines. The services are dependent on each client’s need for support in the search process.  In almost every instance, clients need help negotiating with the landlord, most often to work out terms that allow them to remain in their current housing after a court-ordered eviction has been filed. For individuals who want to or are forced to move, the LCSC social workers make arrangements for an inspection to ensure a prospective rental unit meets HUD’s requirements and that landlords make the necessary repairs should the unit fail inspection.  Most moving clients also need assistance – both cash and arrangements with providers – to get utilities either moved to a new apartment or turned on in the case of clients who have a utility shut-off. Financial Assistance in the form of security deposits, rent in arrears, and utility deposits and payments may be available to qualified applicants.

Apply for Assistance

If you are a Lakewood resident who has a court-ordered eviction or if you are being displaced from your current rental unit through no fault of your own or if you have a utility shut-off notice, you may qualify for assistance if you meet the program’s eligibility guidelines.

To qualify for assistance, you must be a current Lakewood renter, have a court-ordered eviction or a letter of non-renewal from your landlord, have proof of sufficient income to be stable after one-time assistance, and have a household income at or below 30% of the Area Median Income as defined by HUD.

Number of Persons in HouseholdHousehold Annual Income
1$17,950 or less
2$20,500 or less
3$23,050 or less
4$27,750 or less
5$32,470 or less
6$37,190 or less
7$41,910 or less
8+$46,630 or less

Please select one of the three options below to apply for Rental Assistance. Please note: Before completing the online application or calling LCSC, you will need to have this information:

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of Income
  • Your Social Security Number (SSN) and the SSN of each member of your household
  • Eviction Notice from the Lakewood Municipal Court or Notice of Non-Renewal from your landlord
  • Name and contact number of your landlord

Once we have your completed application, we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Application Options

Option #1 – Complete Your Forms Online

The below forms may be filled out and submitted digitally on your computer. Click a button to launch the associated form.

Application for Assistance
Landlord Verification

Option #2 – Download The Fillable Forms

The below PDFs may be printed and completed by hand or you may fill them out digitally on your computer. Please email your completed forms to esgcv@lcsclakewood.org.

Application for Assistance
Landlord Verification

Option #3 – Contact Us By Phone

Contact us if you are unable to complete an online application, please call us at (216) 226-6466 and select Extension #2 to be connected to LCSC licensed social worker Ray Oslin. Please allow 30 minutes to complete a phone application.