Mountain CAP community action agency assistance programs.
While many services are provided by Mountain CAP of West Virginia, the primary ones focus on homeless and eviction prevention. The non-profit community action agency works with the less fortunate and low income to help them achieve stability. The coverage area is Braxton, Upshur and Webster Counties.
Mountain CAP administers a version of Homelessness Prevention. This can assist tenants by offering them one time, emergency rent help. Along the same lines is Rapid Re-Housing, and this will provide financial support, including grants, for paying a security deposit.
The funds are intended to help at-risk individuals maintain stable housing or low income apartments. HPRP aims to prevent homelessness and also divert individuals who are applying for shelter into other housing when appropriate. The agency can also help currently homeless families quickly move into permanent housing in counties including Webster and increase the self-sufficiency of its clients.
The program, operating in conjunction with other nonprofit service providers or churches in Upshur County and local towns, offers case management services as well. This will be combined with no interest loans as a form of rental assistance. Other financial aid from Mountain CAP will include utility-bill assistance, help for security deposits, and moving and storage assistance. This is all offered to persons who are either homeless or at risk of being evicted.
Other housing assistance includes short-term financial support for a distinct crisis. This is another form of rent help to eligible individuals and families for up to three months. If Mountain CAP can’t meet your need, then referrals may be offered to other agencies in Upshur or Webster.
The intensive case management services indicated above offer individuals and families training in money management, life skills and even parenting. Employment assistance, job training, education referrals and linkage to other community resources are also included in this service.
Some tenants can benefit from landlord mediation. Together you can discuss how to address security deposit disagreements or disputes on unsafe living conditions or apartments that are in disrepair. Or the mediation can help with finding affordable housing in West Virginia.
Mountain CAP’s rental housing program works with HUD, or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) to provide safe, affordable and equal-opportunity apartments to low-income families. There are a number of housing complexes in nearby areas, including Barbour, Greenbrier, Harrison, Lewis, Raleigh, Upshur and Webster counties.
In order to enroll, qualified families may apply for a subsidy for the rental housing of their choice. There are strict terms in place, and eligibility is based on criminal backgrounds, total income levels, credit scores and references. Approved clients are placed on a waiting list if a unit is not currently available. Extremely low-income clients or the disabled are often given priority on the list, as Mountain CAP requires at least 40% of its units to be occupied by these individuals.
In addition, the community action organization is dedicated to providing services to help clients become long term homeowners through its housing development program. In order to make this happen, Mountain CAP builds affordable homes in the area. Also, as part of this, the agency’s staff helps clients find affordable mortgage options, certified credit counseling and/or homebuyer education classes.
The program relies on the support of community partners, including Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises, HUD, WVHDF, the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as Community Works in West Virginia.
Home weatherization services are available through Mountain Community Action Program to help conserve energy and lower utility bills for individuals with limited incomes. In almost all cases, the families heating bills and cooling costs are reduced by improving the energy efficiency of homes.
The agency contracts with the West Virginia Office of Economic Opportunity to manage this program in Lewis, Upshur, Braxton and Webster counties. Weatherization is a national as well as statewide program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and also the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A focus is on senior citizens and the lowest income, and this energy conservation service is also free to those that qualify.
The in-home care program from CAP offers a variety of services to help elderly and/or disabled individuals remain living in their current homes. In addition, just as importantly, it will keep them engaged in the community.
The program promotes independence, self-care and ensures their dignity. It is usually less expensive for the client than hospital or home-nursing care. Services are provided by licensed and trained professionals or nurses. Some medical care is offered as well, and may be a focus. All providers are qualified home health aides, nursing assistants or homemaker aides. Furthermore, all caregivers from counties such as Braxton are certified in CPR and first aid.
Mountain CAP also offers services for children, including a Head Start child development center and Right from the Start program. They will also ensure that children have the food they need, including over summer breaks.
For more information, there are a few centers in the region.
- Braxton County, 541 Enterprise Drive, Gassaway, West Virginia 26624, dial (304) 364-2330.
- Webster County CAP office is at 139 Baker Street, Suite 7, Webster Springs, West Virginia 26288. The main number is (304) 678-0000.
- There is also a satellite office in Upshur County. It is located at 10 Island Avenue, Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201. Telephone - (304) 472-6808.
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