Chautauqua County assistance programs

Home repair assistance, foreclosure prevention, help with bills, and credit repair

Chautauqua county and the Chautauqua Opportunities community action agency have received economic stimulus money to offer residents a variety of aid. The funds provided will help the agency repair older houses in the county and Jamestown in an effort to save energy and reduce heating bills as well as increase neighborhood home values. Dial (716) 366-7366.

Several million dollars is being provided from the federal government. Chautauqua Opportunities' stimulus funding provided includes: $1.4 million in weatherization; $800,000 for Head Start and Early Head Start for child care assistance, $600,000 for small business development, $361,000 for transitional independent living for youth and more. Additional funds will also be applied to provide families with credit counseling, foreclosure prevention and the establishment of groups to work with Dunkirk and Jamestown to provide rent help and address homeless prevention due to eviction or foreclosure of a home in the county.

Other assistance programs offered by Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. include Heating and Utility Bill Assistance, Homeless Prevention, Rent Assistance, Energy Conservation, Weatherization, and Home Repairs.

 

 

 

The Salvation Army of Jamestown

A grant for almost $100,000 has been provided to the Salvation Army, and the funds will be used for a variety of assistance programs. The money will be used to improve and enhance support services for four primary Salvation Army programs: the Children and Family Outreach Program, the Comprehensive Financial Assistance Program, the Non-Residential Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services, and also the Residential Domestic Violence Shelter will receive money. The background and details of some of these programs includes :

The Comprehensive Financial Assistance Program provides local residents of the greater Jamestown area  assistance with clothing, utility bills, furniture, medical drugs and prescriptions, certain travel needs, an on site food pantry, assistance with personal hygiene items, baby formula and food, and special dietary needs. In addition, the program also provides funds for and sponsors the Bundle Them Up Program, which provides kids with free winter coats; case management services; the Christmas Assistance Program for both families and individuals; and they will also freely provide information and referral to other community agencies and aid groups.

In addition, the Salvation Army of Jamestown ((716) 661-3898) provides the following case management services and counseling:

• 24-hour crisis intervention
• advocacy and accompaniment for criminal and family court, medical, legal, housing, and financial services
• referrals and information to community resources
• supportive counseling services, including budgeting
• support groups and other aid
• limited rent and utility bill help

 

 

Financial assistance from Catholic Charities

They operate two main offices in Chautauqua County. One is in Jamestown ((716) 484-9188), and the other is in Dunkirk ((716) 366-3533). Programs offered include emergency financial assistance (food) and budget and debt counseling, services to the elderly, senior citizens and their families, information and referral, heating and utility bill help, advocacy, teen pregnancy, and youth counseling. The non-profit will also process Neighbor For Neighbor grants for National Fuel when available.

Temporary financial assistance

The Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing offers help with utility payments or past due rent to prevent eviction from homes or apartment. Temporary housing for homeless individuals, security deposits, etc. is also made available. Dial (716) 753-4110.

Chautauqua County Social Services runs the HEAP energy assistance program. (716) 753-4590

Jamestown and Chautauqua County foreclosure prevention

The Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation (phone 716-753-4650) is receiving a grant of almost $30,000 that will be used to support the agency’s foreclosure prevention counseling efforts. The grant, courtesy of a federal government program, will enable CHRIC to continue providing foreclosure counseling countywide for homeowners in danger of foreclosure. The counseling involves working with both the homeowner and lender to come up with a plan that will stop a foreclosure filing.

Foreclosure assistance and debt reduction

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mayville and Jamestown provides Foreclosure/Loss Mitigation Counseling which offers homeowners counseling to establish a budget; develop a strategy to minimize the chance for foreclosure and to help keep property; including negotiation with bank or lender. This service is free to homeowners. Another service is the Creditor Repayment Plan to help people get out of debt. This involves monthly creditor payments for medical and credit card debts which are negotiated by CCCS with your creditors for an extended term, which may include lowered monthly payments &/or fees or interest rates. Dial (716) 712-2060. Learn about foreclosure mediation. More.

Free food

Ellington Community Food Pantry ((716) 287-2168) provides food and clothing to those in need.

First Covenant Church serves Jamestown and Mayville New York. Runs a food pantry. (716) 664-5203

Joint Neighborhood Project Inc. offers emergency services, a Free Food Pantry, Nearly New Clothing Store, and other aid. Dial (716) 664-7101.

Park United Methodist Church offers food to the working poor, low income, and unemployed. (716) 962-2265.