71%

Percentage of extremely low-income renters who spend over half their income on housing

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Utility and Shut-Off Assistance

Utility providers have resumed late payment and disconnections for past due accounts. Households that owe their utility company money for services should contact the billing department immediately and consider the following programs:

  • NYSEG Credit Department: 1.888.315.1755
  • REA/Otsego Electric Co-op:  607.293.6622
  • NYSEG Energy Assistance Program: Any household enrolled any of the following benefit programs may receive a monthly bill credit on their NYSEG account. (Safety Net Assistance, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension, BIA General Assistance, HEAP).
  • HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program): Eligible households may receive help if they heat their home with any of the following: Electricity; Natural Gas; Oil; Coal; Propane; Wood/Wood Pellets; Kerosene; or Corn. Benefits amounts are dependent on heating type and proof of a vulnerable person living in the household (person age 60+, under age 6 or permanently disabled). The 2022-2023 Regular HEAP benefit is scheduled to open on November 1, 2022.
  • Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program: This program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for drinking water and/or wastewater services. Benefits are capped at $2,500 per drinking water or wastewater provider, or $5,000 if drinking water and wastewater services are combined. On October 1, 2022, a new program year began. Households may be eligible for additional assistance even if they have already received a LIHWAP benefit in the past.

Rent, Mortgage & Housing Resources

  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Updated 09.21.2022):  The 2022-23 State budget includes additional funds to support the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). As a result of the additional funding, OTDA is actively reviewing and processing eligible ERAP applications submitted through August 31, 2022.  OTDA will update their notification if additional funding is available to pay eligible applications submitted after August 31, 2022.  Additional information about eligiblity and available funding can be found by clicking here.
  • New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund: This program is dedicated to assisting homeowners who are at risk of default, foreclosure, or displacement as a result of a financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may be eligible for financial assistance and/or access to professional housing counselors or legal service providers who are experts in the field.  ​​​​​​NYSHAF is no longer accepting applications. However, if you would like to register for the waiting list, click here or call 1.844.776.9423. Be Aware of Scams.

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Our Emergency Housing program helps homeless and at-risk households during their transition from temporary to permanent housing. We assign a case manager to help you connect to community resources and find safe, stable housing. We also offer additional support to ensure the maintenance of housing.

Our programs are completely free to income-eligible households, with a minimal fee for non-eligible households.

Services offered by Emergency Housing

  • 24-hour hotline
  • Emergency shelter and off-site lodging
  • Rent assistance
  • Eviction prevention and housing location
  • Assistance in speaking with landlords
  • Goal planning based on a households needs and strengths
  • Information and referrals to community programs
  • Budget counseling
  • Linkages to legal services to prevent eviction
  • Transportation assistance
  • Ongoing case management through one-on-one support and home visits

Call us today or stop in:

  • 10-20 Depew Street, Oneonta - Open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
  • For emergencies, call our 24-Hour Emergency Housing Hotline: 607.433.8318

This program is funded in part by:

For more information:

Download our program brochure:

Housing Applications: