Kepler Hall Residence Program
YWCA Lancaster was established in 1889 to provide safe and affordable housing for women and families. YWCA Lancaster has steadily adapted its many services for women over the years to meet emerging community needs but has continued to maintain its housing program, the oldest and second largest in the county.
While the Kepler Hall Residence Program offers a continuum of housing options, these programs provide more than housing assistance. With a focus on the establishment of well-defined goals and objectives, single female-identifying individuals and single-parent families are offered an opportunity to break the cycle and achieve self-sufficiency. Support is provided to residents to help them find permanent housing, and employment and to strengthen life skills.
The following housing options are coordinated by YWCA Lancaster:
Emergency Shelter
YWCA Lancaster has 6 Emergency Family Shelter rooms for single parents with children up to 18. Emergency Family Shelter is a short-term shelter. During a family’s stay, they will receive weekly case management to assist with housing, employment, mental health, and any other additional needs they may have.
To qualify for Emergency Family Shelter, families must be pre-screened and referred through CHART. If you or someone you know is seeking shelter, please call 211 to begin the process. All applications are kept for 90 days. Applicants will be contacted by YWCA Lancaster when there is an opening.
Permanent Residence
Female-identifying individuals and families who live at YWCA Lancaster’s Kepler Hall Residency often come from abusive relationships, can no longer afford their current housing due to loss in income, or are transitioning from drug and alcohol treatment programs. The nurturing support provided by the Residence staff has helped many families to get back on their feet and to live fulfilling independent lives.
YWCA Lancaster offers long-term, affordable housing rental units for low-to-moderate-income single female-identifying individuals and single-parent families with young children on a month-to-month basis during adjustment periods in their lives. Case manager support is provided to residents to help them find employment and to obtain life skills.
All residents enter into a landlord/tenant agreement with YWCA Lancaster and pay a portion of their income for rent, which includes utilities. There is no limit to the number of years a resident can stay. As long as residents follow the landlord/tenant agreement, stay current with rent, and follow the rules of residence, female-identifying individuals can make YWCA Lancaster their permanent home.
Residence Application
Contact Information: