Household Size 

                                                                                  1 Person        $31,700

                                                                                  2 Persons      $36,250

                                                                                  3 Persons      $40,750

                                                                                  4 Persons      $45,300

                                                                                  5 Persons      $48,900

                                                                                  6 Persons      $52,550

However, if the home was acquired and rehabilitated with funding from the Commonwealth’s Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Program (HRA) which we are utilizing for some homes in Carbondale , the income guidelines can be up to 115% of Lackawanna County’s median income.  For example, family income for 1 person - $45,540; 2 people - $51,095; 3 people - $58,535; 4  people - $65,090; 5 people - $70,265, etc. To prepare homebuyers for homeownership and to make them better homeowners, Lackawanna Neighbors and other agencies offering financial assistance to assist with homebuying, require potential homebuyers to complete Homeownership Workshops prior to purchasing a home.  Classes are conducted by the following HUD certified counseling agencies:

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Scranton, 709 E. Market St., Scranton, PA  18509.  Classes are generally held during the last 2 Tuesdays of each month but individual sessions may be arranged. To register for classes, please phone 570.558.2490.

United Neighborhood Centers (UNC) 414 Olive St., Scranton, PA  18503 and 66 N. Church St., Carbondale, PA 18407.   To schedule an appointment with a counselor, please phone Jill Moyle at 570.343.8835 ext. 112.

Catholic Social Services (CSS) 516 Fig St., Scranton, PA 18505.  To schedule an appointment, please phone Mike Coyle at 570.558.3019.

Due to specific regulations of the funding sources used, other homebuyer requirements are as follows: 

Homes purchased by income-eligible individuals and/or families must utilize the home as their PRIMARY residence for a period of 15 years which means that it can not be used for speculation purposes.  The homebuyer and/or their family members must live in the home during this affordability period and it can not be rented to others.  If you sell the home within the 15 year affordability period, it must be sold to another income-eligible individual or family that meets the family income guidelines that are in effect at the time of sale and at a sales price that is affordable to potential homebuyers meeting the income guidelines.  This regulation is enforced through a deed stipulatoin and you will not be able to sell the home unless you comply with this requirement.

Lackawanna Neighbors does not provide financing for the purchase of the homes; however, financial assistance may be available through the following local government programs and banking institutions depending upon where the home is located (either Scranton or Carbondale):

City of Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD)   homebuyer program that offers forgivable grants up to $10,000 for downpayment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible individuals and families that are purchasing homes in Scranton.  For information or to apply for financial assistance, please phone Liza Skelton at 570.348-4216 for further information.

Neighborhood Housing Servies (NHS) is administering the Lackawanna County First Time Homebuyer Program that offers downpayment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible individuals and families that want to purchase homes anywhere in Lackawanna County, including Scranton.  Please call Ellen 570.558.2490 for further information or to obtain an application.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) - Keystone Home Loan Program and Home Loan Plus - Offers a 30-year fixed interest rate mortgage to income-eligible persons (same income guidelines as displayed above).   This program allows people who have already owned a home to participate.   Most local banks participate in these programs and loan officers will assist homebuyers with the programs that are available.   More information relating to participating banks can be obtained by phoning 1.800.822.1174 or on the internet at http://www.phfa.org./consumers/homebuyers/khlprograms.aspx.

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) - First Front Door Program - offers first-time, income-eligible homebuyers up to $5,000 toward downpayments (a 3-1 match).  Most local banks participate in this program.  When applying for a mortgage, make sure to ask about this program which can be use with other programs (i.e., City of Scranton Homebuyer Program and Lackawanna County’s Homebuyer Program).   For additional information and a list of participating local banks go to  http://www.firstfrontdoor.com

Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc. has recently started a Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Plymouth Borough, Luzerne County.  This project is funded through the Luzerne County Office of Community Development in Wilkes-Barre, PA  and homes acquired and rehabilitated in Plymouth Borough will be available to income eligible individuals and families using the above income table for Scranton and Carbondale.   All homebuyers must complete counseling through the Luzerne County’s Homebuyer Program and may also be eligible to receive financial assistance through that program.  More information will be available very soon.

This home has been completely renovated with new 2-zone, gas, hot water baseboard heating system, new 200 amp electrical service, new plumbing, insulation, gutters, energy efficient windows and doors.   The first level has a large foyer and grand staircase, living room, dining room and bonus room, new kitchen with peninsula island to bonus room and French doors leading to nice back porch and yard, a new powder room and rear staircase to 2nd floor.   The second floor has three large bedrooms with large, lighted closets, new full bath and large linen/storage closet and 2nd floor laundry room.  All rooms have neutral, plush carpeting with kitchens, baths and laundry room having new vinyl flooring.   Homebuyers must meet Federal income guidelines to be eligible to purchase this home.  Financial assistance is available through the City of Scranton’s Homebuyer Program administered by United Neighborhood Centers.  For further information, please contact Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc. at 570.963.7616,

SOLD - $95,000
This home has been rehabilitated with new siding, porches, windows, gutters, new 2-zone gas hot-water baseboard heating, new electrical and plumbing; insulation, new interior walls, ceilings, doors and wall to wall carpeting and vinyl flooring in the new kitchen and bathrooms. The first level has a living room, dining room, kitchen and combination laundry room and powder room. The second floor has 3 bedrooms and nice closet space. Homebuyers must meet Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Program income guidelines (115% of County Median Income) and use PHFA participating lender for their mortgage to be eligible to purchase this home.

For further information, please contact Lackawanna Neighbors at 570.963.7616.

This home has been rehabilitated with a new roof, windows and doors, insulation, new oil hot water baseboard hearing system, new plumbing and electrical service. The first floor has a large living room and dining room/kitchen with a center island, a powder room and laundry. The second floor has 3 bedrooms with large closets and a new, large full bath. The home also has a garage and large front porch. Homebuyes must meet federal family income guidelines to be eligible to purchase this home. For further information, please contact Lackawanna Neighbors.