Cuyahoga County assistance programs.

Locate help with rent, utility, and heating bills
Low and moderate income families and individuals of Cuyahoga County and Cleveland Ohio can get help from The Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland (CEOGC). They are a private, non-profit organization that is committed to providing people assistance and resources to help people make it thru short term needs they may have.

Rent, mortgage, and foreclosure assistance

Cleveland and Cuyahoga County residents who may be facing foreclosure, eviction, or homelessness may be eligible to receive financial assistance and grants that can be used for paying rent and security deposits, mortgage payments, rent, delinquent real estate and property taxes, or utility and heating bill payments. CEOGC operates a Housing Services office that offers applicants counseling, provides financial assistance and grants, and it can help to identify safe, affordable housing for people who need to move or find a home. Payments from the program are made directly to landlords, lenders, and housing managers on behalf of the eligible homeowners and tenants. Ohio homeowners have several other places they can turn to in order to get mortgage help, including assistance from banks, the federal government, and other agencies.

Grants for utility and heating bills from the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP)

As everyone knows, the Cleveland Ohio area can have a cold, long winter. During the winter heating season as designated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (which normally runs from November to March), the Housing Services Office accepts applications from the thousands of eligible Cuyahoga County and Cleveland residents who need emergency payments to pay for their heating and gas bills, electricity for forced air heat, and bulk fuels such as heating oil, coal, and wood. The application period normally begins on November 1st and ends March 31st every year.

Help for paying summer cooling bills

In addition to the winter program mentioned above, aid is also available during the summer months. Grants and funding may be available to help low and moderate income Cuyahoga County residents pay for the electricity that is necessary to keep their homes cool. In addition, funds are also available to provide fans and even air conditioners for those people who are suffering from illnesses that can be life threatening when summer temperatures are extremely high. The application period for the summer cooling bill program, which is also part of the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP), normally begins on June 1st and ends August 31st of each year.

Job Search Assistance, Training and Placement

The organization offers assistance to job seekers in a resource room that is equipped with computers, a fax machine, and telephones that are accessible to help job seekers search for and apply for job openings, and also follow-up with local employers. In addition to the self service resources offered, job seekers may also be able to receive one-on-one support and counseling during their job searches and they may able be able to receive some direct referrals to employers who have posted their job notices and openings with the program. Candidates may also be able to receive job-readiness training, which will prepare job seekers. It will help them develop their so called “soft skills”; assisting them to write a resume and cover letter; teaching them how to identify their existing skills and talents; giving candidates the opportunity to practice a job interview; and, also show them the skills that are needed to influence them to use their new skills to foster longer-term employment and career growth.

Suspension of Property Tax Foreclosures

Cuyahoga County and Cleveland government official have declared a six-month halt in foreclosures for unpaid property taxes. The moratorium will be in place for at least the next six months, and local government officials say it will help over 1,700 homes that are now in the foreclosure process due to property tax issues and it will also help another 1,700 or so people that are expected to fall behind on their property tax payments in the next half-year.

Officials hope the moratorium on property tax sales will help some owners avoid foreclosure and that is will also prevent more properties from going vacant. It is important to note that taxes will still be owed after the six months moratorium ends, and that interest and penalties will continue to add up during suspension. Find additional ways to get property tax help.

Other programs

Some other programs offered include free tax preparation, Head Start, and referrals to other government agencies, charities, and organizations.

The Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland is located at 1228 Euclid Ave, Suite 700, Cleveland, Ohio, and the phone number is (216) 696-9077.

Rent Assistance from the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services administers this program. The goal is to both help people stay in their homes if they are facing an eviction, and to also help currently homeless people find a new home. The prevention efforts focus on providing temporary rent assistance and cash grants to individuals and families with stable incomes to keep them from becoming homeless. The program is not intended to be a charity program, but it will focus on people who are faced with a short term hardship and who need some help to make it through a difficult period.