Iron County assistance programs.
Residents can receive free foreclosure counseling assistance and access to other resources if they are struggling in this weak economy. The Utah Housing Coalition worked with government agencies to provide additional funding to hire housing counselors for both Cedar City and St. George. Also, the Five County Association of Governments CAP offers several assistance programs to people who need short term help with bills.
Free foreclosure counseling
Iron County Utah families and individuals can get access to a free counseling service which is open to anyone who is at any point in the foreclosure process. For example, it can help someone whether they are already in the foreclosure process or help those if they think they are nearing foreclosure or just struggling with paying their mortgage payments. This service is offered by the Cedar City Housing Authority. The agency will work with lenders or banks to help clients receive assistance to prevent a foreclosure.
It is more challenging if the foreclosure is already in effect. In that case, the agency will do their best to be there for their clients to help them through the legal process, advise them of their rights and obligations, and to also possibly help them avoid legal fees and extra charges.
In addition, as part of the services offered, they provide informative free foreclosure workshops that are offered twice a month for those interested. These sessions are offered are on the first and third Friday of each month for an hour.
Contact the Cedar City Housing Authority at (435) 865-0742 to learn more about mortgage and foreclosure assistance programs, or call a local HUD agency to find additional ways to get mortgage help.
Assistance for paying bills in Iron County
The Five County Association of Governments Community Action Agency is a local non-profit organization that provides people with access to grants and funds to help pay bills, as well as programs to ensure people get back on their feet over the long term. Some of the aid that has been offered in the past includes:
Last year, over 48,000 meals and almost 17,000 nights of emergency shelter were provided to over 1,000 people to help them deal with a food or housing crisis. They can also direct Iron County families to emergency rent programs or money to pay a security deposit, though this form of help in Parowan is limited.
They offer transportation assistance as well as information on loan programs. Last year the agency provided over 3,500 bus pass rides to over 200 families. This assistance was provided by the Suntran and Cedar Area Transportation Service (CATS). The transportation was offered to people who needed support in meeting transit needs to places of employment, if they needed transportation to a doctor appointment, support services, health care access, and just those activities of daily living.
The Five County Emergency Food Network provided almost 25,000 food boxes, which is another food assistance program.
The Five County Association of Governments Community Action Agency, which can be reached at (435) 673-3548, has as its goal a mission to work toward offered short term cash grants and aid, all the while towards also mitigating the causes and conditions of poverty in the region. They want people to become self-sufficient over the long term. They provide employment support and job skills, education, shelter/housing support, transportation, rent and housing assistance, resources for accessing affordable health care and emergency assistance which includes emergency food, and even referrals to other assistance programs.
Hunger prevention in Iron County
Residents of all ages and backgrounds will, from time to time, struggle to buy groceries. If and when this occurs, there are both food pantries and soup kitchens to turn to for help. The centers, most of which are run by charities, provide free boxes of food, baby formula, clothing, and even applications to food stamps.
The locations work off donations and volunteers. While the goal is to never turn anyone away, there is always a need for more items to provide to low income families. So please give back when possible. In the meantime, locate free food pantries in Iron County.
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