10+ Affordable Solutions and Services for Philadelphia Residents

At Glitter, we are dedicated to enhancing Philadelphia communities through affordable solutions and services. Our goal is to make our city a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive place for everyone. But there are other things that residents need access to besides safe and clean streets. Essentials like affordable housing, food, electricity, internet, heating, water. We’ve done some digging to find programs that help make these essentials more affordable. After all, Glitter is about helping create neighborhoods we all want to and deserve to live in - and that takes a lot of collective work. Making these things affordable and accessible is key. That’s why we’ve baked that approach into our model from day one. In addition to our crowdfunded approach, we also have the Impact Fund where we support low-income residents to be able to access our services, and we're proud to stand alongside other essential financial assistance programs in Philadelphia. Below, we highlight some of the key programs offering affordable solutions and services for residents of Philadelphia and then share a bit more about how our program works at the end.

1. PECO Customer Assistance Program (CAP) PECO's CAP offers monthly credits and assistance with past-due balances to help low-income residents manage their electricity bills. This program also provides energy efficiency education, making it an invaluable resource for affordable energy solutions in Philadelphia. Learn more about PECO CAP here.

2. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) LIHEAP, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, provides grants to help low-income families pay their heating bills. This program ensures affordable heating solutions for Philadelphia residents during the cold months. Learn more about LIHEAP here.

3. Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) UESF offers emergency assistance to low-income families facing utility shut-offs, helping pay overdue water, gas, and electric bills. This fund provides critical financial assistance, ensuring that Philadelphia residents maintain essential services. Learn more about UESF here.

4. Philadelphia Water Department’s Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) TAP offers a tiered rate structure to help make water bills more affordable based on income level. This program is a key affordable water service for low-income Philadelphia residents. Learn more about TAP here.

5. PGW Customer Responsibility Program (CRP) Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) provides monthly bill discounts through its CRP, assisting low-income residents with their gas bills. This program is tailored to provide affordable gas solutions for Philadelphia households. Learn more about PGW CRP here.

6. Comcast Internet Essentials Comcast Internet Essentials offers affordable internet service to low-income households, helping bridge the digital divide in Philadelphia. This program supports education, job searches, and connectivity, offering an essential service for modern life. Learn more about Comcast Internet Essentials here.

7. Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) Housing Choice Voucher Program Known as Section 8, this program provides rental assistance to low-income families, ensuring access to affordable housing in Philadelphia. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is vital for housing stability and security. Learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher Program here.

8. BenePhilly BenePhilly is a free service that helps residents apply for various public benefits, including SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and energy assistance programs. This comprehensive support connects Philadelphia residents with the affordable solutions they need. Learn more about BenePhilly here.

9. Philly Food Rescue Philly Food Rescue works to reduce food waste and provide fresh food to those in need. Volunteers help deliver surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and other donors directly to households and community organizations. This service helps make healthy food more accessible and affordable for low-income residents. Learn more about Philly Food Rescue here.

10. The Mayor's Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) CEO offers various programs aimed at reducing poverty and increasing opportunities for Philadelphia residents. This includes financial empowerment centers, job training, and access to affordable housing resources. Learn more about CEO here.

Glitter's Impact Fund Glitter's Impact Fund, supported by contributions from subscribers, offsets the cost for lower-income blocks, reducing cleaning costs by 25%. This initiative makes our services more affordable, ensuring that all Philadelphia residents can enjoy cleaner, healthier neighborhoods. Learn more about Glitter and our Impact Fund here.

By leveraging these affordable solutions and services, Philadelphia residents can access essential support to improve their quality of life. At Glitter, we are proud to contribute to these efforts, making our city a better place for everyone. Explore these programs to find the support you need and join us in building a stronger, more inclusive Philadelphia.