26:I[602207,["/_next/static/chunks/b2d9e5ad986688c5.js","/_next/static/chunks/c06a916609469182.js","/_next/static/chunks/00d487d672d50444.js","/_next/static/chunks/9270d8bf6b6329cf.js","/_next/static/chunks/20636f240ba7fca8.js","/_next/static/chunks/d3bbeeec84271e26.js"],"FbViewContent"] 27:I[313634,["/_next/static/chunks/b2d9e5ad986688c5.js","/_next/static/chunks/c06a916609469182.js","/_next/static/chunks/00d487d672d50444.js","/_next/static/chunks/9270d8bf6b6329cf.js","/_next/static/chunks/20636f240ba7fca8.js","/_next/static/chunks/d3bbeeec84271e26.js"],"NewsCoverImage"] 28:I[43738,["/_next/static/chunks/b2d9e5ad986688c5.js","/_next/static/chunks/c06a916609469182.js","/_next/static/chunks/00d487d672d50444.js","/_next/static/chunks/9270d8bf6b6329cf.js","/_next/static/chunks/20636f240ba7fca8.js","/_next/static/chunks/d3bbeeec84271e26.js"],"ShareButton"] 29:I[730533,["/_next/static/chunks/b2d9e5ad986688c5.js","/_next/static/chunks/c06a916609469182.js","/_next/static/chunks/00d487d672d50444.js","/_next/static/chunks/9270d8bf6b6329cf.js","/_next/static/chunks/20636f240ba7fca8.js","/_next/static/chunks/d3bbeeec84271e26.js"],"default"] 2a:T553,

Oct. 30, 2025 -- The Lackawanna County Office of Economic Development on Tuesday received a Best Practices Award for its Eviction Assistance Program from the Pennsylvania Association of Housing & Redevelopment Agencies.

The program, designed by the county using the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), a state program providing financial assistance to households struggling with housing instability, took off in early 2025. It was so successful it expended all funding by June.

Led by James Hazen, Business Relations Coordinator for Economic Development, the Eviction Assistance Program helped more than 70 individuals facing eviction. Through the collaboration with county commissioners, local courts, human service agencies and housing partners, the Eviction Assistance Program kept county residents safely housed and prevented first-time evictions.

“Earlier this year, our office recognized an urgent and growing challenge in our community -- families facing eviction for the very first time due to unpaid rent. We saw an opportunity to intervene before those families lost their homes, to offer not just financial relief, but stability, dignity and hope,” Hazen said.

Hazen accepts the award from PAHRA President Barbara Wilson at the the Presidential Banquet at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square.