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  • 2013 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121
  • 2013 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121
  • (215) 684-5736

Affordable Rental Security Deposit Assistance Fund

If you are a current HCV voucher holder and wish to apply for a matching grant for a security deposit, please send all of the following to info@phillyseeds.org and please ensure that ALL document are completed and signed before submitting:
1) a letter, signed by yourself, indicating why you are requesting security deposit assistance which includes your:
– PHA HCV client ID#,
– name,
– address,
– phone number and
– email address;
2) the amount you would pay to the landlord (this would be matched by PhillySEEDS, up to $2,000 – and before PhillySEEDS would issue any matching grant payment, a copied receipt of your payment to the landlord would also be required)
3) a copy of your lease, and
4) a copy of your HCV voucher – RFTA

Since the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the housing choice voucher program (otherwise known as Section 8) has been the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, veterans, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market at a subsidized rate.

In the private rental market, renters are required to provide at least two months rent as a security deposit. With Housing Choice Voucher residents having low-to-moderate incomes, many of these residents need assistance in fulfilling their security deposit requirement.

PhillySEEDS offers security deposit assistance at a dollar-to-dollar match of the resident’s security deposit savings, up to $2,000. PhillySEEDS recipients also receive credit and budget counseling from a housing counseling center certified by the City of Philadelphia, where they learn to budget their income and monthly bills for future affordability.

The Affordable Rental Security Deposit Assistance program helps PHA residents fulfill security deposit requirements with up to $2000 in matching funds

“PhillySEEDS provided me with $500 to put towards my security deposit. It was a great help to me because I was struggling to come up with the other half of my deposit. I found a place to live that was in a better neighborhood that I needed to move on fast. Because I am a single mom with a lot of bills this was a hardship but I needed to move. I really appreciated the help I got because it helped me be able to move and have my daughter in a better school and a better neighborhood. This program is a great one and I am so thankful that they were able to help me. This organization was a blessing and I hope they can continue to help others like me that are just down on their luck and need a helping hand. Thank you PhillySeeds program and all the amazing people you have working for you that help with so many other things as well.”

-Arielle Oliver

 

PhillySEEDS Security Deposit Assistance Data by Year

 

2021
30 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $34,870

2020
24 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $32,697

2019
28 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $35,000

2018
33 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $34,991

2017
25 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $25,182

2016
7 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $6,863

2015
4 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $3,089

2014
4 Residents received security deposit assistance

Total given: $3,400