Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency assistance programs.
The main focus of the programs offered by the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency revolve around housing, energy bills, food, and employment. The case managers from the non-profit will focus their time and services on meeting those needs, however additional support can also be provided in some cases.
Emergency financial help and food from community action
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program, or EFSP as it is known in Bell and Whitley County, uses funding from the Federal Government FEMA organization. The grants are used to supplement assistance provided by local agencies to hungry and homeless residents. Or there is also support for tenants facing eviction.
Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency can use EFSP to pay for vouchers for motels or hotels. There is also help in the form of free food, either as served meals or groceries. Limited amounts of rent or mortgage assistance may be available to cover one month’s payment, or there may also be grants for utility bills. or find other places for help with rent.
The Homeownership Counseling Program at Bell-Whitley CAA helps prepare prospective homeowners for the purchase process. The program covers an array of subjects, including the effects of credit standing on a mortgage loan, budget creation, Closing the loan, Saving money for unexpected expenses, and also credit management services.
The Homebuyer Program supports the efforts of low-income households as they work toward the goal of owning their own property. To be eligible for this service, an applicant meet income level guidelines, be living on a fixed income, such as Social Security, SSI, or fixed wages; express willingness to make a monthly mortgage payment; and participate in Homeownership Counseling with a counselor.
Bell-Whitley CAA continually seeks funding for so that they can offer financial assistance with down payments, closing costs, and gap financing. The typical Homebuyer client will normally have their first mortgage through a local lender in the region, as well as a second mortgage through Bell-Whitley to provide gap financing if they need more support.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program assists eligible low-income households, with a focus on the disabled and seniors in Bell and Whitley County. There may be grants from LIHEAP to help with the costs of home energy bills. Two types of LIHEAP assistance are available from Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency to ensure that all who are in need are helped.
- Crisis – This assists eligible low to moderate income households who are experiencing home-heating emergencies. The program runs from early January until March 31, or until all crisis funds are designated, whichever comes first.
- The LIHEAP Subsidy Component will provide a one-time cash payment that is made directly to the utility company on the customer’s behalf. Applications are accepted from the first Monday in November through the second week in December. This too is first come and served by both the state of Kentucky as well as Bell-Whitley CAA.
The Weatherization Works Program in Kentucky provides energy-efficient improvement to the homes of low-income residents. Bell-Whitley CAA will give priority given to households with elderly, disabled, or very young members. Measures done by the non-profit include installing insulation; repairing or replacing faulty heating systems; repairing or replacing doors and windows. These free Kentucky Weatherization services typically lower home energy costs by up to 20% per year, which translates into hundreds of dollars in savings to the dozens of households that enroll.
Bell-Whitley CAA’s Home Rehabilitation Program makes repairs to the homes of low-income residents in order to resolve building code violations as well as safety issues. To qualify for Home Rehabilitation, the following guidelines must be met. The applicant must be willing to make a monthly mortgage payment if necessary, the owner needs to hold a clear title and/or deed to the property to be rehabilitated, and of course it must be the primary residence.
Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency Repair Affair is an all-volunteer, one-day home repair event organized and sponsored by the non-profit. Event volunteers of all ages and levels of skills sign up with the Bell-Whitley CAA.
Those who enroll will spend the day repairing and sprucing up the homes of elderly as well as disabled residents of the the service area. In addition to helping with the work to make their home safe to live in, volunteers can make tax-deductible contributions of cash or materials.
Employment resources
Eastern Kentucky's JobSight Program is also run by Bell-Whitley CAA. The service brings state and federal employment and training programs together under one roof to meet the needs of eastern Kentucky's job seekers, the underemployed and employers. This free service everything that someone will need to help with your efforts to find work, find a better job, or access training in the skills you need to compete in today's workforce.
Each JobSight Center in the region offers an on-site Career Resource Center, where job seekers can get information about labor markets and in-demand jobs, prepare resumes, access the Internet for free to look for jobs, and use an extensive collection of instructional books and videos on topics that range from successful job interview techniques to efficient time management.
The non-profit will also offer more services. This can include Job Placement, Career Planning, Education and Training Information, Skills Assessment, Unemployment Insurance, On-the-Job Training, as well as Vocational Rehabilitation or classes on GED Courses. There are even resources on programs such as renting possessions for extra income and other side hustle jobs.
Bell-Whitley CAA Adult Services delivers tiered levels of support to dislocated workers and job seekers. The program will give them on-the-job training as well as classroom training and access to other various support services. Using an array of resources, the program helps with resume preparation, furnishes the latest information on jobs, assesses for interests and aptitudes,and enhances career advancement.
Other available services from the community action agency that may be provided to those who are eligible include financial assistance with tuition, books, fees, and other costs, help with job search and relocation in other locations, and even placement with a local business for paid work experience or on-the-job training.
Apply for help from Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency
For more details, Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency main office is at Pineville, KY 40977. Call 606-337-3044.
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