Get help from the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority
People facing poverty or that meet low income guidelines can turn to the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority, also known as CSRA EOA. The non-profit can provide residents with both long term support and information on emergency financial assistance. Unlike many Georgia agencies that limit assistance to one or two counties, CSRA EOA’s regional reach allows it to coordinate resources across county lines and learn more on CSRA EOA programs below as well as the contact information.
They offer assistance in the Georgia counties of Bulloch, Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes. This helps residents who may work in one county but live in another which is often a common situation in the Augusta GA metro area. The agency also operates a central intake and referral network, meaning clients can start with one Neighborhood Service Center and be referred quickly to the appropriate program across the region.
Financial assistance programs and grants
Each county covered by the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority has a Neighborhood Service Center that can assist with rent, utilities, and basic needs. These CSRA EOA centers serve as the first point of contact for families facing eviction, shutoff notices, or food insecurity. Funding often comes from the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and each office tailors aid based on local resources.
- When funds are depleted, staff provide referrals to regional charities and churches that participate in the agency’s Emergency Support Network. If the location can’t meet your needs, then staff members from the non-profit coordinate and establish links to social service programs and public aids to help assure effective delivery of services for the low-income population.
A federally-funded program that may be able to help low-income households and the working poor with paying their home energy bills is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. Any financial help is limited and offered on a first come and served basis. Grants from LIHEAP can help families stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It can improve the overall health a safety of a home as well. CSRA EOA operates one of the few year-round LIHEAP intake centers in Georgia through its Greene Street office in Augusta.
Energy conservation is provided from the Weatherization Assistance Program. This can offer free conservation measures to income eligible households in the region. It is offered in all of the counties, including Richmond and Columbia. The program prioritizes low-income people, especially the elderly and families with young children.
Housing and rent assistance is offered by the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority. The non-profit can offer subsidized housing, shelter and other support services to homeless families in the region. The goal is to help them achieve self sufficiency and find permanent housing.
Augusta’s location on the Georgia - South Carolina border gives CSRA EOA a dual-community focus. The organization partners with Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), area hospitals, and local workforce boards to ensure that veterans, medical staff, and displaced workers have access to job training and transitional housing. This cross-sector coordination is not typically seen in smaller county-based agencies.
The Shelter Plus Care Program is for families and individuals with disabilities. They can also gain support services, possible funds for paying rent, and more. There are also government benefit programs for the disabled in Georgia.
A more unique unique feature of the Augusta-based CSRA EOA housing system is its two-year transitional housing track, where families not only receive shelter but also life-skills training, transportation support, and access to employment counselors. Participants work with staff toward permanent housing and financial independence, with many later transitioning to Section 8 or self-sustained leases. The 2 years gives them time to achieve economic self-sufficiency, gain access to permanent housing, and maybe apply for financial support, such as section 8 or security deposit programs.
Prescription assistance and vouchers may also be offered from Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority (CSRA EOA, Inc). They remain available for uninsured residents meeting federal income guidelines, allowing them to receive essential medications at little or no cost through partnerships with participating pharmaceutical programs.
The Economic Opportunity Authority housing counseling and case management programs
For those purchasing or keeping homes, the agency’s HOPE (Home Ownership Planning Education) and Way Home programs provide matched savings accounts, homebuyer classes, and foreclosure counseling. Certified HUD housing counselors assist homeowners who fall behind on mortgages, helping them contact lenders, apply for loan modifications, or explore Georgia programs like HomeSafe for reinstatement funds.
- The Way Home is a form of matched savings program. This particular resource will provide those who qualify matching grants on the money they save
- The Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority provides counseling from Home Ownership Planning Education, or HOPE. This can include free foreclosure prevention, home buyer education workshops, and financial literacy/budgeting classes.
- One-on-One Pre-Purchase Counseling and Home Buyer Education Workshops are held in the region, including Burke, Richmond, and Screven. These sessions will provide advice and help families that are about to buy a home.
Foreclosure counseling is offered by specialists and HUD approved counselors. They can assist homeowners in Georgia that are in danger of foreclosure due to delinquent mortgage payments or financial crisis, such as a job loss. The agency will coordinate free one-on-one sessions with the borrower. Together you can explore the reasons for default, conduct a budget analysis, verify arrears, and staff can serve as a liaison between the homeowner, their loan servicer and their mortgage company in attempt to resolve the delinquency.
The agency invests heavily in education and financial literacy. Its counselors host financial literacy and credit repair workshops, provide one-on-one budgeting guidance, and help residents set savings goals. The emphasis on long-term stability and not just short-term relief is a hallmark of the CSRA model. Participants in transitional housing or matched savings programs are required to attend these sessions, ensuring that when financial help ends, they are better equipped to manage future challenges. They also offer clients help in repairing credit scores.
Families with young children can also benefit from Head Start and Early Head Start programs. CSRA EOA’s network of centers across Richmond, Burke, and McDuffie Counties in GA continues to expand access to education, nutrition, and early developmental health. Augusta’s centers stand out for including on-site behavioral specialists and parental employment counseling, which links families to job programs and GED preparation — services not always offered in smaller Head Start systems elsewhere in Georgia.
Contact information for and how to apply to Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority
As noted, while the Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. has Neighborhood Centers is all counties, the main location is at 1261 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901. The primary intake number for that office (and referrals to local programs) is 800-890-0493.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
