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The County has received a $7 million grant from the federal government that will be used to provide rental assistance, counseling, housing relocation, and stabilization services for individuals and families who are struggling and need help in this weak economy.
The funds are being provided as a result of the stimulus program, and the HUD program is providing the funds. The program is known as the Nassau County Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) and are targeted at individuals and families who are at risk of being evicted, becoming homeless, or who may be homeless today. The primary goal of the assistance program is to help people obtain long term housing and to also be able to maintain that housing once assistance being provided to them ends.
There are a few main components of the program, and they include.
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The Nassau County HPRP offers case management services and direct financial assistance. Housing-related services provided include a variety of services and supports such as short-term (3 months) or medium-term (18 months maximum) rental assistance. however, it is required that applicants get re-certified every 3 months to verify the continued need for this housing assistance, legal services, credit counseling, mediation, help with security or utility deposits, funds for moving cost, utility/rent arrears payments, storage costs (up to 3 months offered) and case management. Note that all financial assistance and money provided by Nassau county and the program is payable directly to third-party vendors such as the landlord or utility company, and no cash assistance is given directly to the program participants or individual in need.
There are some criteria that need to be met to get aid. Eligible recipients of HPRP funding includes families and individuals who have children with incomes at or below 50% of the area medium income, which is currently set at a level of $101,800 for a family of four. In addition, the applicant can’t have other appropriate housing options identified. Also, aid will be provided only to those who have sufficient resources and support networks to maintain existing housing after the 18-month period of assistance ends. Therefore future affordability and initiative by the program participant is a key component of program eligibility for the HPRP funds and those who receive aid must be financially independent and able to maintain their residence within the 18 month time frame allowed by the program. So the program will not provide funds indefinitely, and people need to be in position to get back on track once the aid ends.
Contact the Office of Housing & Homeless Service/Nassau County Homeownership Center which is located at 40 Main Street, Hempstead, NY. Phone 516-572-1900
In order to help Nassau homeowners who may be caught in the growing mortgage foreclosure crisis that is hitting the nation, volunteer attorneys are available to answer residents questions. The counseling is free, and attorneys can answer questions at free foreclosure clinics that are sponsored by the Nassau County Bar Association
Hundreds of attorneys have volunteered to provide one-on-one counseling, guidance, advice, referrals and direction to any Nassau County homeowner who is behind on their mortgage payments, who may be concerned about foreclosure matters. Assistance can even be provided to people who are already in the foreclosure process. More information can be received, and reservations made, by calling the Bar Association at 516-747-4070 between 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
Since launching the free foreclosure clinics last spring, volunteer attorneys have helped hundreds of homeowners with individual foreclosure issues, they have provided advice, helped people sort out financial issues, or the attorneys have referred homeowners to other non-profit agencies and/or government programs, Note that the attorneys do not provide legal representation, but instead they will help homeowners find out if indeed, they need a credit counselor, debt assistance or maybe even a lawyer, and get them in touch with available resources. Or click here to find additional ways to get foreclosure help.
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These clinics provide an opportunity for people to meet with an attorney. In addition to this, housing and mortgage counselors from the Nassau County Homeownership Center and representatives from Nassau/Suffolk Law Services - which provides free legal services for those, can be contacted and provide additional support if needed.
Additional firms and agencies that provide foreclosure prevention and counseling include Nassau Law Services Committee of Hempstead New York. Call (631)232-2400.
Or if none of the resources above can help you, locate more Nassau County foreclosure prevention agencies and specialists.
Society of St. Vincent De Paul, which is located in Bethpage and serves Nassau County and can be reached at (516)822-3132. The agency provides financial assistance and cash grants to those residents who in trouble or who are behind in bill payments. In addition, the non-profit will work with other agencies if more help is needed. They also administer the federal government EFSP (Emergency Food and Shelter Program) and may be able to distribute funds for rent or mortgage payments or utility / heating bills.
Nassau County Catholic Charities ((516)733-7000) runs several programs for the disadvantaged and low income in the area. They also partner with other churches and charities. Some of the services they offer include dental care (on a sliding fee scale), rent and mortgage funds from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, housing services, and a variety of senior citizen programs.
The Salvation Army Westbury Corps provides qualified individuals with direct family assistance in the areas of emergency food, rent payments, mortgage help, utility and heating bills, food and clothing. (516)338-7265
Parish Outreach of Nassau and Food Pantry of Westbury New York ((516)997-5507) operates a food pantry. They also offer needs assessment and referrals employment counseling and job referral (including a domestic employment program) immigration counseling, assistance with heating bills, rent, utility and other emergency financial needs referrals for medical care for the uninsured and assistance with providing free prescription medications.
St. Brigid's Parish – They offer an extensive emergency food pantry and program that helps hundreds. Also meet with a case worker for needs assessment and referrals to jobs and career development. Families expecting the birth of a child may qualify for financial assistance with rent, utility, medications and other emergency financial needs. They can also give out referrals for medical care for the uninsured and low income as well as assistance with prescription medications. 50 Post Avenue, Westbury, New York, 11590, (516)997-5507
Options For Community Living, Inc. - AIDS or HIV patients, as well as their families, can access housing. The agency can also provide case management and assistance with rent, heating bills and utilities. 1 Helen Keller Way; Suite 402, Hempstead, NY 11550, (516)481-6300
Nassau County Department Of Social Services Financial Assistance And Support Services - Temporary Assistance – A number of assistance programs are offered, including help with energy bills. Other services include electric, Gas, and Heating Payment Assistance, Food Stamps, Insurance, and referrals to state of New York and federal government assistance programs. 60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Uniondale, New York 11553-2636, (516)227-8519
Social services - The county offers resources to residents who are faced with a crisis. Several different programs are administered to provide short term financial help to families with children, single adults, seniors and others. Grants for paying bills, housing, and other needs are provided by a number of government and public assistance programs. Learn more.
LIPA –Seniors can apply for assistance. Funds can assist with paying their electric energy bills. Provides a onetime only credit of $200 through this special program established by the nonprofit LIPA. 333 Earle Ovington Blvd., Uniondale, New York 11553, phone (800)490-0025
Bellport, Hagerman, East Patchogue Alliance, Inc. – Some of the services offered include housing and rental programs to Bellport and East Patchogue residents. Other assistance programs administered include a Senior Program, clothing program and Second Chance Program. Housing programs provide information on foreclosure counseling, reverse mortgages, landlord mediation, first time home buying, tenants and landlord rights and mortgage counseling. In addition, if faced with a crisis, funds and grants may be available to assist with the payment of utilities, rent, and mortgages. (631)286-9236
Nassau agencies and program that focus on rent help - The county is supported by a number of charities, non-profits, churches, and organizations that focus on offering emergency rental assistance and preventing homelessness. There is often a waiting list, but funds are available from time to time. Find list of Nassau County rent assistance agencies.
This is funded by the federal government, and it can provide rent, housing, and mortgage assistance. In addition to the two agencies noted above, other places that may be able to distribute the funds include the Hempstead based Long Island Council of Churches (phone (516)565-0290) and the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, Inc. Dial (516)292-9710.
The Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, Inc. offers low income, the working poor, unemployed numerous ways to get help. The agency provides support services and resources for basic needs and advocacy to low income residents of Nassau. They also provide information, referrals, transportation and emergency assistance. They also fund Community Action Programs in Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Port Washington, Rockville Centre, Lakeview, Roosevelt. Also offers Job Readiness/Job Placement, Summer Youth Programs, and Head Start Child Development. Call (516)292-9710.
Parish Outreach and Food Pantry (phone (516)997-5507) operates an on site food pantry that helps hundreds of families. They also offer needs assessment, information on government programs and referrals employment counseling and job referral (including a domestic employment program). Also a New Baby Program is available that is offering layette gifts to families anticipating the birth of a child assistance with rent, utility and heating bill and other emergency financial needs referrals for medical and health care for the uninsured and assistance with prescription medications and drugs.
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Debt Reduction Services (phone (631)473-7500) is a non-profit firm that provides Nassau County individuals with debt assistance regarding foreclosure advice, debt reduction, bankruptcy and debt analysis, negotiation, consolidation, educational programs and free consultations. Bohemia NY. (631)473-7500.
Family and Children’s Association - Call them for information, as they may be able to offer counseling on budgeting and money management, debt reduction and settlement programs, mortgage delinquencies, and consumer debt elimination tactics. Roosevelt New York. (516)485-3425
Word of Life Ministries of Freeport - Operates a free food pantry and provides free clothing to persons in need. Phone (516)546-2883.
Trinity Lutheran Church of Glen Cove New York (dial (516)676-1340) provides food and clothing for those in need of help.
First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury - The center operates a food pantry for those who do not have sufficient funds and the financial means to feed their family. The center will distribute food to families who are sick and shut-in and operates a Soup Kitchen for the needy. Call (516)333-5422
EOC of Nassau County, Inc. - This is the local community action agency, and they provides clothing bin, emergency food pantry, information on government and financial assistance programs, counseling, social service advocacy. Call (516)676-4793
A number of other churches, pantries, and charity organizations distribute food, groceries, and meals to people who need help. Find the phone numbers and addresses of more Nassau food pantries.
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