LIHEAP WEEK – November 5 to 8
If you need help with application assistance, come visit UESF at any of these dates and locations during the month of November:
LIHEAP WEEK: 10am to 2pm
Tuesday, November 5
Thomas Donatucci Library
1935 W Shunk Street, 19145
Wednesday, November 6
PATH – Community Room
1919 Cottman Avenue, 19111
Thursday, November 7
Haverford Library
5543 Haverford Avenue, 19139
Friday, November 8
UESF – Suite 600
1608 Walnut Street, 19103
For full service, you’ll need these documents:
- Income for last 30 days (award letters need to be current, pensions don’t need to be current if still receiving)
- Current utility bill or shut-off notice
- Social security card (for everyone in the household)
- Identification (must have a picture)
Volunteer Day at Philadelphia Prison Orchard
UESF staff contributed to a volunteer initiative at the Philadelphia Prison Orchard, a collaborative effort involving The Food Trust, Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and Bennet Compost, resulting in a valuable experience and opportunity for interorganizational collaboration.
28th Annual PECO MEAF GOLF Tournment

Welcome UESF’s New Executive Director

UESF Mobile Office Update
Join UESF and Representative Regina Young Office at the Free Library of Philadelphia every Tuesday starting July 2nd from 12pm to 4pm at 1935 Shunk Street to receive assistance with BenePhilly benefits and other supportive services.
Golf Tournament Proceeds Reach An All Time High!
The 27th Annual PECO MEAF Golf Tournament held on October 9th was a huge success—raising a record $56,000+ for PECO’s Matching Energy Assistance Program (MEAF).
Taking place on October 9th, the event drew nearly 128 golfers, who enjoyed a beautiful rain-free day of golf on the autumn-colored hills of McCall Golf Club in Upper Darby.
The Matching Energy Assistance Fund is PECO’s vehicle for assisting low-income families throughout the Greater Philadelphia area who need assistance paying their electric bills. PECO matches all program funds dollar for dollar for each grant that is made, doubling the impact. As a result, the $56,000 raised from the golf tournament became $112,000 for families in need.
Local agencies receiving these funds for the families they serve include the Bucks County Opportunity Council, the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, the Community Action Development Commission of Montgomery County, Mason-Dixon Cares, and UESF.
A special thanks to the event’s major sponsors, including CMC Energy, Burns & McDonnell, Sargent & Lundy and Asplundh.
Having lunch with the Mayor!
UESF joined the Mayor’s luncheon at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Today! Mayor Jim Kenney addressed important issues impacting the city of Philadelphia and his last year in office.
This ‘furniture bank’ gives away beds, tables, and sofas to Philadelphians leaving homelessness
Lunching with Landlords: How UESF Builds Trust for Community Stability
The city of Philadelphia has a shortage of affordable housing units in Philadelphia –88% of people with incomes of less than $30,000 are cost-burdened, according to Pew Charitable Trust, far more than other major cities. But what we know at UESF is that even when a tenant finds an apartment, we also need to build community trust, so that landlords, tenants, and neighbors can have positive interactions, and maintain stable relationships across time. This trust, in the end, is what makes for a healthy and sustainable community.
That’s why we are extra proud of our landlord network –now 360 landlords strong. Since 2016, UESF has partnered with landlords on rental and utility assistance for low-income tenants. We help ease the financial risk for landlords by channeling assistance funds and working as a partner in the landlord-tenant relationship. Our goal is create community with landlords and tenants, in order to solve problems before they start. Then, even when rental assistance runs out, tenants are more likely to remain as tenants. And with stable and safe housing in a familiar neighborhood, people can build back their lives.
One special landlord is Ms. Clara Glenn. “She is very patient,” says UESF Certified Housing Inspector Dorothy Owens. “She works so well to get UESF participants into housing, whether it’s a room, a one-bedroom, or whatever they need. She trusts UESF so that even when the tenant has no money to put down, she knows she’ll get paid by us in time. She has even reduced her rates so that once the assistance ends, the tenant can still afford the rent. She tries to keep all her places filled with veterans coming through UESF.”
The landlord network serves a variety of households, but mostly veterans through our SSVF program. We have housed over 1750 veterans in safe, comfortable homes all across Philadelphia, nearly always within 45 days of a veteran coming to us.
On March 31, we were excited to again host the semiannual Landlord Luncheon. 45 people came to enjoy food and fellowship with our staff and community partners. Patricia King, Manager of Community Engagement at PECO, spoke about usage reduction services and special rental assistance made available by federal Covid-19 stimulus funds. Nancy Giacomini of the Eviction Diversion Program of the City of Philadelphia discussed how to work with the city. And Landlord Deanna Miller spoke about the landlord perspective on mediation.
If you are a landlord interested in partnering with us, reach out to Ms. Dorothy Owens at dorothyowens@uesfacts.org.