SELINSGROVE -- Evicting people because their home does not have heat is cold and cruel, the least enjoyable part of John Bickhart's job.

"Government gets stuck with it," said the borough's code enforcement officer, who is also the borough manager. "It's a human tragedy that tugs the heartstrings."

Pangs of conscience are aggravated by the difficulty of finding help for people in the tangle of resources intended to help. Advocates and government officials say there are a number of programs available to offer heating assistance, but no clear-cut starting point where people can turn for help.

If he receives a complaint that a residence doesn't have heat, Bickhart said he is required by the borough to inspect the property. If there is no heat, and the problem can't be solved quickly, he has to declare the site unfit for habitation.

Residents are given a few days to move before he padlocks the doors.

Unfortunately, Bickhart said, that's where his involvement ends.

"There's no database or list of places that can help," he said. "If they're elderly, I can suggest Area Agency on Aging. Some churches in town and foundations may be able to help."

Bickhart, as well as code enforcement officials throughout the Valley, may have to evict more people as layoffs, high fuel prices and the poor economy take their toll.

Cathy Teischer, director of Haven Ministry in Sunbury, said the South Front Street shelter is full, as is the Gatehouse, a similar shelter in Danville.

The next closest shelter is in Harrisburg, she said.

"I do what I can and then move on," she said.

Teischer said she is often able to provide people with food, which allows them to use their money for heat.

Sunbury code enforcement officer Mike Rhoads said he knows of several city residents warming their homes with a secondary, more cost-effective heating sources to save money.

For example, he said, one couple has begun using a 24,000-btu fireplace for heat, rather than their 60,000-btu gas furnace.

At the beginning of the heating season this year, Rhoads said the code office had to condemn a handful of properties because the occupants didn't have heat in their homes and were using unconventional methods -- such as ovens -- to keep warm.