Deschutes County assistance programs

Find how to get help with bills, and become self-sufficient

Many people need short term aid to make it through a difficult period. At the same time, they may also need access to resources and programs to help ensure they get back on their feet over the long term. NeighborImpact may be able to help. It is a private nonprofit organization that was established to serve and speak out for low income as well as other economically disadvantaged people who live in Central Oregon, including Bend and Redmond

Rent Assistance

Get rent help from NeighborImpact Emergency Services. They will offer individuals and families with rent help as well as information and referrals to all types of programs. Limited assistance will be available from this program.

Weatherization

This federal government funded program is free to clients, and it can help people save hundreds of dollars per year on their energy bills. It can provide such improvements as increased insulation and lower air infiltration rates. Combined, these improvements these can reduce home heating bills for participants who are accepted into the weatherization program. As another side benefit, weatherization measures and improvements can improve the livability and even help extend the life of a home.

The number of people helped should increase with additional stimulus funds flowing to the program. Currently, the Weatherization Assistance Program assists about 10-20 low-income households per month and they have provided weatherization assistance to over 1,000 households to date, since inception. Furnace repair, services, and/or replacement may be available to both tenant and owner occupied homes. The Weatherization Assistance Program also partners with the Housing Rehabilitation program on many of its projects to ensure as many people as possible are aided.

 

 

 

Get help with utility and heating bills

Every single year thousands of Deschutes County Oregon households get help with paying their utility bills from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This was a program originally created by the federal government, and it is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Grants are provided to people who need help. Additional options that are offered by NeighborImpact included a program to help households prevent utility shutoffs. Funds for this shut off prevention program come from:

• Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP – for Pacific Power customers)
• Cascade Natural Gas Company's Winter Help Program
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Oregon HEAT (for Pacific Power customers)
• Local donations from individuals and businesses

Call the regional phone line 541-504-2155 to learn more or apply for aid.

Help for paying water bills

The city of Redmond has recently created a fund that will help residents pay their water bills. In addition to this fund, which can provide direct cash grants, they also have a water bill rate reduction program for low and so called middle income customers. But the new water bill fund will be a new way to help people pay bills. Contact the city for more information, or click here to learn more on assistance for water bills.

 

 

Child Care Assistance

NeighborImpact also offers Child Care Resources. This service is dedicated to providing comprehensive resource, advice, and referral services to low income families. They are one of the main child care providers to all communities in Central Oregon. They also attempt to promote and recruit more accessible and affordable child care, and the main goal is to help people save on child care expenses. They also highly encourage community involvement through parent education, volunteerism, and also provider training. Child Care Resources' services are available to all families in need of help.

Mortgage, Foreclosure, and Housing Assistance

The Housing Center offered by NeighborImpact acts as a so called one-stop shop for families and homeowners who need housing assistance and who want to become financially fit. It can help people save a home from foreclosure, or help them make their way towards financial strength and home ownership. The program offers many services, including direct services such as the homebuyer education, foreclosure counseling. Also offered are indirect services including meaningful referrals to partners of the center as well as programs from such companies as Bank of America. Other programs offered by the agency include low-income housing weatherization grants, reverse mortgage counseling, housing rehabilitation loans, credit and debt counseling, mortgage help, down payment assistance programs, individual development accounts, state-funded loan programs, bank assistance products, information on loan modifications and other affordable mortgage products that can assist homeowners.

To learn more, call NeighborImpact at (503) 548-2380.

 

Energy Assistance, Energy Weatherization and Energy Education programs

If you live in The City of Sisters, you may be able to get help if you are a low-income area resident and if you need aid with paying your heating bill or utility bill.

The Energy Assistance program will provide cash grants and other financial help with paying for electricity, natural gas, propane, oil or wood. Residents in need of assistance can meet with NeighborImpact (541) 548-2380) staff from the Energy Assistance, Energy Weatherization and Energy Education programs. There are some requirements, and people will need to bring their energy bill and proof of household income. Applicants to the program will be seen on a first come first served basis.

In addition to financial assistance, there will also be details and information about the Home Weatherization program. This federal government assistance program will also help make the home of low and moderate income renters and homeowners more energy efficient and it can also address any health and safety issues. The NeighborImpact organization also provide solutions if your home is hard or expensive to heat, if your home feels cold all the time or has a draft.