ARTICLE
Each day in Bucks County, families face the devastating possibility of eviction. Often, a temporary financial hardship can quickly become a life-changing crisis. According to the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Bucks County has the 6th highest eviction filing rate in the state, with 14 renter households facing an eviction filing every day-the greatest percentage of these occurring in the Bensalem area. The Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) is launching a new Eviction Prevention Pilot Program. The pilot intends to help up to 25 households avoid eviction by providing emergency rental assistance, legal guidance, and personalized case management focused on helping families regain stability and increase their income. Gene and Marlene Epstein, through the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund, are challenging our community to help raise funds to ensure the program is successful. During the challenge period of July 20-31st, 2026, every dollar raised will be matched, up to $50,000. Gene says, “That means together we can give families not just a second chance, but a path toward long-term stability.” BCOC CEO, Erin Lukoss agrees, “Avoiding eviction means avoiding trauma…homelessness, missing work, changing schools. The well-being of everyone in a household is affected when facing eviction.” Overall, this drive is looking to secure $150,000 in funding for the program. Funds will be directed toward these goals: Prevent families from losing their homes. Connect tenants with legal assistance. Support employment and income growth. Build stronger, more stable communities throughout Bucks County. Preventing eviction before it becomes homelessness is a critical challenge facing low-income families. With this pilot Eviction Prevention Program, BCOC believes they can bring impactful change and stability to families in crisis. With their donation and challenge, Gene and Marlene hope to inspire others who can contribute to help make a difference. Donations can be made directly to the Bucks County Opportunity Council through this link, DonorPerfect Forms. For more information, please contact Joe Cuozzo at jcuozzo@bcoc.org/215-345-8175 x204. This campaign will run from July 20th-July 31st. BCOC is the lead anti-poverty, non-profit organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive. BCOC has five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program. Housing includes emergency services, rental and move in aid, and utility shut-off prevention. Food services supply food directly to families through a network of 74 food pantries and distribution sites. Weatherization services help families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance. The ES Program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment. For over 60 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.
Each day in Bucks County, families face the devastating possibility of eviction. Often, a temporary financial hardship can quickly become a life-changing crisis. According to the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Bucks County has the 6th highest eviction filing rate in the state, with 14 renter households facing an eviction filing every day-the greatest percentage of these occurring in the Bensalem area.
The Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) is launching a new Eviction Prevention Pilot Program. The pilot intends to help up to 25 households avoid eviction by providing emergency rental assistance, legal guidance, and personalized case management focused on helping families regain stability and increase their income.
Gene and Marlene Epstein, through the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund, are challenging our community to help raise funds to ensure the program is successful. During the challenge period of July 20-31st, 2026, every dollar raised will be matched, up to $50,000. Gene says, “That means together we can give families not just a second chance, but a path toward long-term stability.” BCOC CEO, Erin Lukoss agrees, “Avoiding eviction means avoiding trauma…homelessness, missing work, changing schools. The well-being of everyone in a household is affected when facing eviction.” Overall, this drive is looking to secure $150,000 in funding for the program.
Funds will be directed toward these goals: Prevent families from losing their homes. Connect tenants with legal assistance. Support employment and income growth. Build stronger, more stable communities throughout Bucks County.
Preventing eviction before it becomes homelessness is a critical challenge facing low-income families. With this pilot Eviction Prevention Program, BCOC believes they can bring impactful change and stability to families in crisis.
With their donation and challenge, Gene and Marlene hope to inspire others who can contribute to help make a difference.
Donations can be made directly to the Bucks County Opportunity Council through this link, DonorPerfect Forms. For more information, please contact Joe Cuozzo at jcuozzo@bcoc.org/215-345-8175 x204. This campaign will run from July 20th-July 31st.
BCOC is the lead anti-poverty, non-profit organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive.
BCOC has five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program. Housing includes emergency services, rental and move in aid, and utility shut-off prevention. Food services supply food directly to families through a network of 74 food pantries and distribution sites. Weatherization services help families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance. The ES Program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment.
For over 60 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.