Franklin County Ohio housing and energy bill assistance.
Franklin County Ohio residents who need housing, eviction prevention, or energy bill assistance have several social services and assistance programs to turn to for help. Low income families and the most disadvantaged can contact the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services to learn about the various resources and emergency assistance programs that are available to them and that are highlighted below.
The purpose of the Homeless Program is to provide rental assistance, emergency shelter and transitional housing and support to the working poor and homeless across the region. A wide variety of permanent low income housing programs and resources are available to the Franklin County and Columbus Ohio homeless population and those people who are at risk of becoming homeless. Funds can help them pay for security deposits and first month’s rent. Case management and services can also help individuals find a new home or apartment too. The objective is to both assist those who are currently homeless, and to provide aid to ensure people do not become homeless.
The program can also provide homeless and eviction prevention assistance. The county realizes that the best way to prevent homelessness is to take a pro-active approach, and can coordinate emergency rental assistance in a pinch. So if you are faced with imminent eviction, look into this option.
Low income residents in Franklin County can also apply for the Emergency Heating Energy Assistance Program. This can provide emergency grants to pay energy and heating bills for the low income, elderly, disabled and others. Columbus Ohio and Franklin County residents needing assistance with heating bills or fuel oil should contact Impact Community Action at 1-866-747-1038 or 614-252-2799. Another non-profit agency to call is the Breathing Association, which can also accept applications and can be reached at 614-457-2997. A hotline has been designated to answer questions about this and other energy saving programs, and that phone number is 1-800-282-0880. Additional information is available on the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services.
In addition to the cash assistance and grants to pay energy bills, many of the non-profits above can administer weatherization programs for the low income and working poor in Franklin County. Weatherization is a free resource that can help people improve the efficiency of their home, and therefore allow them to save money on bills.
The Affordable Housing Program can provide financial resources and technical assistance to low/moderate income residents so that they can either improve and repair a home, or buy their first home.
The Franklin County Ohio Affordable Housing Program offers a number of other services as well to people who are looking to buy their first home, or to current homeowners. Some of the aid is offered to local non-profit organizations (who then accept applications), and some is offered directly to qualified residents in the county.
Programs administered include abatement of housing lead hazards services, home ownership assistance, which includes down payment assistance and home foreclosure counseling, single-family rehabilitation, weatherization grants, repairs and improvements to homes, water quality updates, and much more.
Case managers and counselors from the Family Services organization will be able to meet with residents across the county. They will review your financial situation, assess your needs, and determine if any of the housing assistance programs may be able to help you with your situation.
For a comprehensive listing of housing and energy programs, call the Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services. The main office is in Columbus, and the government agency can be reached at 614.233.2000.
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