Orange County assistance programs.

Funds to prevent an eviction and provide rent help

Costa Mesa has accepted almost $600,000 in federal government stimulus funds to help city and county residents who are on the brink of losing their homes, housing, or apartments. The money is being provided from the government’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program.

The housing assistance program is primarily for individuals and families that are on the brink of facing eviction and becoming homeless. Money is even available for people who are currently homeless.

The federal government funds would be used to provide short-term rental assistance, help for paying electric and heating bills, money for security deposits, hotel and motel vouchers, legal services, and housing searches. However mortgage assistance is not included.

The local charities and organizations that will be disbursing the funds include Mercy House ((714) 836-7188), which runs a homeless prevention program, and SPIN ((714) 751-1101), which assists local residents who need help finding housing.

People who apply for the grants will need to provide various forms of identification, including a birth certificate and credit report, and also proof of employment through pay stubs and details on their hardship.

Residents of Costa Mesa and Orange County must also show bills or statements from landlords, lease agreements, copies of utility bills, or some other forms showing proof of city and count residence.

Find information on about 15 other non-profits to call for Orange County CA rent assistance.

 

 

 

Orange County CA programs and resources to help pay bills

The Community Action Partnership of Orange County provides various resources and programs to low and moderate income families. The Partnership partners with both public and private organizations and charities to provide assistance to people who need it. They try to solve community problems and improve communities by bringing services and hope to people. The Partnership provides a variety of help to pay bills, emergency services and grants, and they enable struggling families to meet their basic needs and develop the skills and knowledge to get back on their feet. Some of the programs offered are below. Contact them at 12640 Knott Street, Garden Grove CA or (714) 897-6670 to learn more about these and other resources available to you, or to apply.

• HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) - HEAP will help clients who are in need help paying their gas, electric, heating, or cooling bills. Applicants to the program determine which type of utility bill they need help with paying. If qualified, a credit will appear on your bill. If the monthly utility bill you pay is included in the clients rent (if you are a renter), then the client receives a check in the benefit amount. You an only receive assistance at most one time every year.
   
• ECIP or F/T (Fast Track or Energy Crisis Intervention Program) - The ECIP program assists families who are facing a crisis of having their gas or electric service disconnected. It can also aid those who have already had their electric or gas disconnected. After you apply for and are accepted into ECIP/FT,  the appropriate utility company is contacted and told that an application has been processed with the pledge amount to stop or postpone the pending loss of gas or electric service. If the utility service is already disconnected, the person requesting aid is responsible for paying all reconnection fees or deposits.
   
• CLTS (California Lifeline Telephone Service) - The CLTS program is a discounted rate for local telephone service. 2 two different types of plans are available to applicants. Limited amount of local calls or unlimited local calls are the options available. Any out of the area code, long distance or additional phone features are additional charges to the consumer. More on way to get help with telephone bills.
   
• CARE/FERA (California Alternative Rates for Energy, Family Electric Rate Assistance) - CARE will provide families and individuals with a discount on their gas or electric bill. The utility company will need to provide the discount on the bill, and they will also need to determine if the individual qualifies for FERA or CARE, whichever of those options provides the greater savings for the customer
   
• Weatherization - This is a federal funded program that provides minor home repairs to families to help them save on their energy bills, and to also improve the quality of life and health and safety. Needed home repairs and/or replacement as well as qualifying measures are determined by a home assessment will be undertaken. Weatherization services provided to homeowners are available at a maximum of one time every 10 years.
   
• Refrigerator Replacement - A client may qualify, based on income and other guidelines, for a energy efficient replacement refrigerator at no cost to the applicant. Replacement of the refrigerator consists of removing and also disposing of the client’s old refrigerator and replacing with a new energy efficient unit that will save the homeowners on their utility bills.
   
• California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance - This auto insurance savings program provides an affordable auto insurance option to low-income drivers with a good driving record.

 

 

Friendship Shelter - The non-profit agency can provide free budget and/or credit counseling, debt reduction, information on rent and energy assistance, and job placement services. Call (949) 494-6928

Get information, and help in apply for financial assistance, from Housing Authority - Orange County. Their are offices in Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and other areas. Assistance programs, including those that can provide rent help, electric bill assistance, and food, are offered to all Orange County California low income residents. Get advice and assistance in applying for aid. Call (714) 480-2900.

Mortgage Assistance and Foreclosure Prevention

With California hit particularly hard by the housing crisis, the Orange County Home Ownership Preservation Collaborative, or OC HOPC for short, is an organization that may be able to help. The organization is a partnership of government, non-profit, and business leaders who are all committed to preventing foreclosures and helping people stay in their homes. The group is strongly committed to promoting and preserving the dream of home ownership by Orange County families through outreach, financing, education, and counseling.

The group holds workshops and provide other forums so that banks, lenders and housing counselors will provide individual counseling, advice, and other assistance to those homeowners who are struggling or who may be worried about or experiencing a home foreclosure. Mortgage and housing counselors will be available for confidential meetings to offer free legal and housing advice to homeowners across California. Find other ways to get mortgage help and foreclosure assistance.

Contact the Orange County Home Ownership Preservation Collaborative at (714) 313-8699 for information on how to get foreclosure and mortgage help.

Another agency to turn to for foreclosure help us the Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County. The NHS OC organization has well trained housing counselors who will meet face-to-face for a couple hours with homeowners who are behind on their mortgage or facing a foreclosure. The counselors will meet with borrowers to find the best solution to address the problem and remedy the default, including refinancing, loss mitigation, foreclosure mediation, or loan workouts or modifications. These options can include repayment, refinancing and forbearance plans. In addition, the housing counselor will review and assess homeowner's budget and financial situation to develop an action plan and budget, and help them reduce debt. Call for foreclosure help at 714-490-1250.

 

 

Financial assistance from Social Services - The County works with local non-profits to provide money to pay bills, rent, medicines, and other needs in an emergency. Some of the programs are also administered directly by the county government. So a combination of government and private funds are pooled together to help the less fortunate. Tens of thousands of low income, elderly, unemployed, and struggling Orange County residents receive some form of assistance every year. Read more Orange County emergency assistance.

Employment Services and Job Training

Catholic Charities of Orange County can help people find a job, grow their career, and increase their income. The Employment Service Center, which is run by the organization, provides employment services and job training programs to Orange County residents. Counselors will work with the applicant to develop life and job skills that move clients toward independence, an increased income and self-sufficiency. 714-347-9600.

Medical and Dental Care

If you are uninsured or underinsured, and have no money to pay for medical bills and have no other option for heath care, Share Our Selves is a local clinic that may be able to help. They provide access to dentists for cleanings and dental work, doctors and other medical professionals for health care needs, and provide numerous health care services. Call the clinic at 949.642.3451. They may also be able to help people reduce medical and hospital bills. Learn more.

Another organization to turn to for medical help is the Lestonnac Free Clinic (714.633.4600). This non-profit organization is strongly committed to providing free, high quality comprehensive dental and medical care to low and moderate income families in the Orange County area.  They partner with drug and pharmaceutical companies, local doctors and hospitals to meet the healthcare needs of low income residents.