Augusta-Richmond County assistance programs.

Find housing and rent assistance, as well as utility bill help.

Almost $1 million dollars in federal government funds are being provided to Augusta County to provide residents with housing assistance. The federal government funds, which are being provided from the stimulus program, will be used over the next two to three years to offer both short term and long term rent assistance, provide rapid housing, security deposits, rental and utility bill assistance and even provide motel vouchers as a last resort.

The Salvation Army in Augusta Georgia ((706) 826-7933) will be one of the primary organizations running the program, and they will be placing individuals and families into permanent and temporary housing. It is just one of 10 local agencies and charities that serve the homeless or those on the verge of homelessness, and these 10 groups will all be involved.

Some of the other groups that will be aiding and providing housing assistance include Hope House and SafeHomes of Augusta. These 10 agencies will be distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in free grant money to those who need help.

Help Stop a Foreclosure

The Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. (CSRA) (phone (706) 722-0493) offers an extensive program that can help people stop a foreclosure and provides them with mortgage assistance. The foreclosure prevention program is not limited to people based upon income levels, so all people can apply for help.

How does it work? A well trained housing counselor will be assigned to the homeowners case. They will review the borrowers financial situation. They will offer the homeowner debt counseling, and help them create a budget.

After some of this initial prep work is complete, they will assist the homeowner in contacting their lender to explore a mortgage modification, repayment plans, interest rate reduction, set up a mediation session, explore a special forbearance, deed-in-lieu, or a short sale if need be. The program can even provide free legal advice. The bottom line is they will do whatever they can to help the borrower. Learn more on Georgia free legal advice.

 

 

 

Electric Bill Assistance

Apply for grants to pay cooling and electric bills from the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. Phone number is above. They administer a federal government assistance program known as LIHEAP. This program can provide low to moderate income people with grants of up to several hundred dollars that can be used to pay electric, heating, and summer cooling bills. Apply early as the funding is limited and the demand for help is great. The phone number for the agency is in the foreclosure section above. Find other Georgia utility assistance programs.

Emergency assistance in Augusta

In addition to the rent programs indicated above, The Salvation Army ((706) 826-7933) helps qualified individuals by providing free food, emergency shelter, meals, clothing, groceries, rent help, cooling and utilities bill assistance, technical & life skills training, Christmas assistance, substance abuse rehabilitation, disaster relief, and counseling and advice.

 

 

Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center serves the Richmond and Augusta Georgia community through senior enrichment programs, youth activities and tutoring, food assistance and meals, and wellness events. Dial (706) 738-0089.

Short term financial and emergency assistance is also offered by the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. (CSRA). Their number is noted above. They run programs including The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is a Federal government funded program that helps low-income households pay their home energy bills.

The agency also runs the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is another Federal government program that helps supplement the diets of low-income needy persons, including elderly people, by providing them with free emergency food, groceries and nutrition assistance.

Last, but not least, the Weatherization Assistance Program’s (WAP) provides free energy conservation measures to income eligible households in the Augusta community.

Free or low cost medical and dental care in Richmond County

A number of clinics provide health care to people of all incomes, backgrounds, and ages across Richmond County Georgia. While qualifications will need to be met by applicants, even if you do not qualify for the free care a sliding fee scale may still provide individuals lower costs on their medical bills. A wide variety of services are provided by the community clinics.

• Harrisburg Family Health Care - Phone (706) 496-3885. This center is based in Augusta Georgia.
• Georgia Health Department has several medical centers around the community. They coordinate with local hospitals as well as federal government and state of Georgia medical and insurance programs. Call (706) 667-4328.
• If these two locations can’t help you, find more clinics in Richmond County Georgia.