Community action agency programs in North Carolina.
North Carolina non-profit community action agencies listed below administer several programs for the unemployed, low income, and working poor. Case management, financial help for bills including electroc or transportation, and social services are available at your local office. Most of resources are focused on providing long term self-sufficiency, which usually involves helping a client find a job or gain a new skill. However some short term, emergency grants may be offered for services such as weatherization or housing.
Rent and housing programs
Rental assistance may be provided in the form of Housing Choice Vouchers. This is the federal government’s primary program for helping very low-income families, the disabled, elderly, and poor afford decent, sanitary and safe housing. North Carolina families who enroll in the section 8 program are able to find and move into their own housing as long as it meets government requirement. The government will then help subsidize your rent using vouchers and grants.
A voucher will be paid to the landlord directly on your behalf. The exact amount of the assistance is determined by the number of household members, family income, and allowable deductions in combination with the utility cost and contract rent price.
Apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program at your local community action agency. The energy conservation program was designed to help low-income citizens reduce expenses and save energy through the installation of energy conservation materials in their primary residence. It will pay for energy efficient measures for peoples homes and also offer energy conservation tips education.
Assistance includes repairs to homes to conserve energy, make homes more comfortable, and help lower utility bills, and it can help stop air leaks, conserve energy and reduce utility bills.
The services completed by the Weatherization Assistance Program reduce your energy costs by improving the overall energy efficiency of your home, and it can help people save up to $300 per year.
A similar service, that is usually offered at the same time, is HARRP. This is a Heating Appliance Repair and Replacement Program that usually works at the same time as the Weatherization Assistance Program. HARRP will repair and/or replace inefficient heating, furnaces and cooling systems in the homes of low-income families. A focus is on North Carolina individuals who are elderly, families with children, and individuals with disabilities.
Many agencies also work closely with non-profit housing counseling agencies. They provide services such as the N.C. Foreclosure Prevention Fund. This can help homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments and who may be facing a foreclosure due to job loss or temporary financial hardship.
If you qualify, you may receive a 0% interest, deferred-payment, non-recourse and subordinate loan that will be forgiven after 10 years. So if you abide by the terms of the program, after ten years you can consider the loan waived and no money will need to be paid by the homeowner. The loans will assist people who are unemployed, re-employed or are dealing with a program eligible financial hardship. Or they can get mortgage help in North Carolina from other programs.
These loans from the state can be used to pay monthly mortgages and related housing expenses. Or the funds can be used to bring past-due mortgages current while the homeowner seeks or trains for a new job. Eligible homeowners can receive up to 36 months of assistance from the state or $36,000. The N.C. Foreclosure Prevention Fund also can even help employed who are struggling to pay their second mortgage.
New Homes Loan Pool is offered in partnership with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. Participants in this program that are in need of down payment assistance for a new home, but are not eligible for the IDA program mentioned above, can receive assistance with a minimum investment of $750. You can receive down payment assistance at twenty percent of the sales price, but not more than $25,000. The monthly payment on this loan will be deferred for an extended period of time, and it could be as long as the life of the first loan.
North Carolina grants and self-sufficiency services
Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) provides working poor and low-income families with the opportunity to become self-sufficient over the long term. Case management services from your local agency help connect individuals with resources for education, employment, housing, and food. While more limited, financial assistance may be offered for rent payments, security deposits, utility bills and deposits. Referrals to support services are offered, including those that are both in-house and in the community. Eligibility is based on income. All clients are required to attend workshops and agree to a case management program.
The client will develop a partnership with the community action Case Manager and their needs and strengths will be reviewed on an on-going basis. Also set goals and learn and practice skills needed to become self-sufficient.
CSBG can provide job readiness assessment, training, and retention, financial literacy skills and training, employment search assistance, housing services and transportation assistance.
Case Management is when community action agency counselors provide or sign people up for comprehensive, long-term counseling services. When you attend a session, the counselors will evaluate the condition of the client’s entire financial and personal condition. You will then need to establish goals, create budget, and you may be able to receive other types of assistance needed to develop an overall plan for self sufficiency.
Emergency Financial Assistance is for those who are in crisis situations. Individuals may receive cash grants to alleviate the current emergency situation. Any type of financial assistance from the community action agency is contingent upon a client’s ability to maintain an independent status forward.
Some funds may be offered to pay your rent if faced with an eviction. Past due utilities such as gas, electricity, cooling bills, oil, etc. may be paid. If faced with a life threatening condition, North Carolina may provide limited assistance with the purchase of prescription medicine.
If you do receive a grant for rental expenses, each client will need to receive continuous counseling throughout his or her job training and employment search with CAF. In addition, once employment has been obtained, follow up will take place. This means that community action agencies help with employment at the same time as offering grants, and locate details on rent assistance.
Crisis assistance grants may be available when no other resource are available to the North Carolina family. Financial assistance can be provided local churches, non-profit agencies, local area ministries, The United Way, and federal government emergency shelter and food grants. Many community action agencies also have access to local food closets and pantries throughout the local North Carolina area that are operated by ministries and volunteers.
The grants, which are free to apply for from a North Carolina Community action Agency, can be approved for many needs. Different needs around employment, housing, and everyday living expenses may be addressed from these services. Find more ways to get free grant funding for paying bills in the state.
Self-Sufficiency Programs offer case management and other support services to help families become independent. People can move to self-sufficiency and help them get above the state and federal government poverty guidelines. Families are linked with needed resources to assure success. Clients can achieve a greater sense of authority over their lives by participating in workshops, training and presentations that include financial literacy, credit repair, budgeting and employability skills.
Information and referrals are provided by community action agencies. The non-profits provide information, referral, and outreach assistance in North Carolina. Specialists can link families with the appropriate non-profit or charity resources.
Circles is a nationwide program designed to eliminate poverty in states and communities. It has been proven to help families become self-sufficient by reducing reliance on public and government assistance, developing and achieving educational goals and objectives, and really in increasing family income. Families who enroll in Circles are provided the job training, networking, and social capital essential to getting out of poverty.
Community action agency financial counseling services
Consumer Workshops may be offered at many locations. These can include one-on-one attention, employment counseling, debt reduction and free credit repair/counseling. It helps many people obtain financial literacy.
VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, provides free income tax filing services. This is open to low income clients and the elderly. VITA sites are able to prepare basic tax returns for low-income residents, and it is done for free. Work with a specialist to ensure you receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Education Credit and Child Tax Credit. Both federal and state of North Carolina tax returns are processed electronically. Clients can also learn about claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit which can result in much larger refunds. Representatives will also arrange for direct deposit of your refunds.
Elderly Legal Assistance Program can protect and secure the benefits, rights and dignity of clients 60+ years of age. Services are for civil issues. Examples of legal aid provided can include completion of wills, Power of Attorneys, address Consumer Complaints, Health Care Power of Attorneys, Land/Deed Transactions, Hearing Regarding Public Benefits, and Counseling. Services are provided by local, participating attorneys across North Carolina on a pro-bono basis. There are other forms of legal advice.
Individual Development Account Program (IDA) are matched savings accounts that can help the low income and people faced with poverty build an enduring escape from that poverty. It is offered for both low to moderate income families. The IDA program is really a matched savings account in which the community action agency in NC will give the client free money.
The process will jump-start the savings process. It will help modest income family’s progress down the path of prosperity. Your community action agency will more than likely require any matched funds to be used for education supplies or towards the down payment of a new home. Read more on what is Individual Development Account.
Money Management Training Sessions can teach clients how to better manage money and resources, with a focus on saving money and living within lifestyle. The sessions are wide ranging and can include consumer education. This is further expanded and can mean information on the best places to shop and save money, establishing credit, budget development, nutrition education. Or find additional information on how to save money on bills.
Budget Counseling Sessions are held at many North Carolina agencies, and services are available to individuals and families to assist with managing household resources. Learn how to reduce debts, establish savings and possibly establish credit. Clients of the community action agency will work with case managers to develop individualized, establish goals regarding their income, adopt family budgets, and locate resources toward the achievement of the goals.
Employment, education, career counseling and job training
Self-Sufficiency programs are a similar option. They were created to help low-income working households escape poverty and increase their standard of living. It will also help people reduce their social and economic self-reliance. This also offers clients one-on-one counseling to help them meet their goals.
You will develop a case plan with a representative from the community action agency, which will detail goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Clients of the non-profit agencies can remain in the Self-Sufficiency program for up to two years. During this time enhance the development of your so called life skills that will help people become self-sufficient. Clients of these self-sufficiency programs may also receive financial assistance from the state of North Carolina as part of their progressions to employment or out of poverty. Such financial assistance may include grants for paying for tuition and books for improving education, transportation, childcare assistance, and housing services. While more limited, emergency assistance is also available in some circumstances, and this is mostly homeless prevention.
The service can provide for Vocational education to improve employment. Receive transportation assistance and child care for job training or when you start a new job. Clothing and other employment supplies may be offered. Workshops can also provide budgeting and financial education as well as social and economic literacy training.
Workforce Investment Act / WIA is a federal government and state of North Carolina program that provides services for youth and adults in areas of education, work experience, skills training, and job assessment services. WIA targets and can help youth, adults, and dislocated workers.
Some of the core services from WIA include assessment, job search, outreach and placement assistance. Intensive services from case managers can include diagnostic testing, career planning, prevocational skills training and general case management. Some of the job training services involve occupational skills and on-the-job training, customized training, and skills upgrading. These employment services are provided through the JobLink Career Center in most towns and counties.
The centers offer assistance to the unemployed and residents who are looking to increase their skillset or education levels. Workshops, both on and off-site, can provide training and other forms of support. Click more free job training in North Carolina.
The WIA Adult/Dislocated worker program can assist adults and dislocated workers. It will help them to be placed into a job training program with the goal of unsubsidized employment at the completion of primary services. The North Carolina WIA program provides assessment of needs for job seekers and employment training. The program also provides assistance with paying for tuition, books, fees, supplies and other training related costs for vocational and technical training for eligible individuals.
On-site GED/ABE Instruction is often available. An on-site certified instructor may be able to assist clients with basic education skills upgrade or preparations for the GED. Reimbursement for textbooks and training materials may be offered.
Head Start is the federal government funded program that is available across North Carolina. It is a resource for preschool children (up to age 5) from low-income families. The Head Start program is operated by local non-profit community action agencies and partner organizations in almost every county in the state. Children who attend Head Start classes participate in a variety of educational activities and even can receive food and health care. For example, children will receive free medical and dental care, receive healthy meals and snacks, and are able to participate in other activities. Services are also offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities.
Parents also need to play a key role. The staff from Head Start recognize that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children, so it can both recommend, and even require, parental involvement in activities. Family members of the child can take part in training classes and employment services on many subjects, such as job training, learning about health and nutrition, and using free resources in their own community. Some North Carolina parents learn English, and maybe even how to read. The government, through Head Start, also offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or who want to pursue other adult education opportunities.
Senior food programs
The Nutrition Program for the Elderly is funded by the federal government, and it addresses nutritional and social needs of seniors throughout the state. Assistance is offered from both Congregate and the Home Delivered Meals programs.
Congregate meals program promotes the health and well-being of senior citizens and older people through a free nutritious meal. It also provides seniors with opportunities for health, education, social, recreation, and other community activities. The program is available free of charge to anyone over 60+ years of age.
Meals on Wheels, which is also the state’s Home Delivered Meals Program, has a goal of maintaining the health of impaired older persons by providing free nutritious meals and snacks, a daily check of the senior, and a social contact. All of this is done and can help enable the homebound to remain in their residence as long as possible. Eligible clients for this Meals on Wheels program have to be 60+ years of age and homebound. So applicants need to be confined to the home due to reason of illness or incapacitating disability. While there is no cost for this service, a donation is always appreciated.
The Adult Day Services program can also assist elderly and/or adults needing a safe, stimulating, enriching, and nurturing atmosphere. These services are available as a community resource at most seniors centers in North Carolina, and can assist primary caregivers and seniors.
Locations of North Carolina agencies
Union County Community Action, Inc.
1401-H W. Roosevelt Boulevard
Monroe, North Carolina 28110
Telephone: (704) 283-7583
This non-profit supports low income families in Union, Anson, and Richmond County. Note that in some regions they only run the Head Start program, so services may be limited.
Alamance and Caswell County Community Services Agency, Inc.
236 N Mebane
Burlington, NC 27217
Call (336) 229-7031, or read more Community Services of Alamance and Caswell.
Blue Ridge Community Action, Inc.
Address - 800 North Green Street
Morganton, NC 28655
Main telephone: (828) 438-6255
Offers emergency aid, case management and resources in several counties, including Burke, Caldwell, Alexander, and Catawba. Note that weatherization may be the only program run in certain areas. They are a leading community action agency for the region. More details on assistance programs from Blue Ridge Community Action.
Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission
Address - 1747 US 21 North, Suite A
Sparta, NC 28675
Call (336) 372-7284
Counties supported are Alleghany, Ashe,and Wilkes. A number of services are available from this community action agency, and find more details on BROC assistance programs.
Catawba County Department of Social Services
3050 11th Avenue Dr SE
Hickory, NC 28602
Telephone: (828) 695-5600
This location serves as the community action agency. General Assistance (GA), Work First, child care assistance and other aid is available. Click here Catawba County DSS community action agency.
Central, Southern, and Eastern North Carolina is supported by Telamon.
The main office is in Raleigh, but many other counties are supported.
They administer government supported programs such as weatherization, Head Start, and maybe even have information on emergency grants to pay rent to help stop evictions. Click here for Telamon programs.
Charlotte Area Fund, Inc.
901 N Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 372-3010
This non-profit serves Mecklenburg County and the greater Charlotte area. Low income and working poor families can apply for programs such as weatherization, Head Start, or housing counseling. Case managers will also help people find a job to increase their income. Continue reading on Charlotte Area Fund programs.
Choanoke Area Development Association of North Carolina, Inc.
120 Sessoms Dr
Rich Square, NC 27869
(252) 539-4155
Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton and Counties.
Coastal Community Action, Inc.
303 Mcqueen Blvd
Newport, NC 28570
Call (252) 223-1630
If you live in the counties of Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, or Pamlico call this center. Find more Find more details on getting help from Coastal Community Action.
Community Action Opportunities of Buncombe and Madison
Office location is 25 Gaston Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Main telephone number: (828) 252-2495
Cumberland Community Action Program, Inc. - Action Pathways
316 Green St
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Call (910) 485-6131
Some assistance is also available for military members and veterans. One main goal is on homeless prevention, which includes emergency rent or energy bill help. Learn more on Cumberland Community Action Program financial resources.
Davidson County Community Action, Inc.
911 S Talbert Blvd
Lexington, NC 27292
Call (336) 249-0234
Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency, Inc.
Location is 237 New River Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Primary number - (910) 347-2151
Counties covered are Duplin and Onslow. The agency runs day care and SSVF housing and rent programs for veterans. Call the non-profit agency for more details. More on Eastern Carolina Human Services.
Economic Improvement Council, Inc.
712 Virginia Rd
Edenton 27932
Telephone: (252) 482-4495
A wide range of territory is served. Emergency services, self-sufficiency, and referrals are offered for people in the counties of Washington, Camden, Gates, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Tyrrell, Hyde, Pasquotank, or Perquimans. Another focus is on rent/housing assistance from vouchers and job training. More on Economic Improvement Council.
Experiment in Self-Reliance, Inc. of Forsyth County
Address is 3480 Dominion St
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Dial (336) 722-9400 for information
(336) 748-8312
The non-profit community action focuses on referrals, offers free income tax preparation, and more. Continue to find information on how to apply at Experiment in Self-Reliance assistance programs.
Four Square Community Action, Inc.
116 Main Street
Andrews, NC 28901
Main telephone: (828) 321-4475
Regions supported are Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Swain County.
Southeastern Community Action Partnership (formerly known as Four-County Community Services, Inc.)
405 N Elm St
Lumberton, NC 28358
Phone: (910) 277-3500
Counties are Bladen, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland. A leading non-profit. Read more on Southeastern Community Action Partnership.
Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc.
920 Manson Axtell Rd
Norlina, NC 27563
Call (252) 492-0161
Low income residents of Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Warren County region should call this agency. Applications for resources such as Head Start, low income housing, and government benefits may be offered as well as referrals. Read more emergency help from Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity.
Gaston Community Action, Inc.
Main address - 223 N Morris St
Gastonia, NC 28052
Call (704) 861-2283
Counties supported - Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln, Stanly. The non-profit can help low income and the working poor. They provides everything from weatherization applications to Head Start and the North Carolina Heating and Air Conditioning Repair program. More details community action Gaston.
Greene Lamp, Inc.
309 Summit Avenue
Kinston, NC 28501
Telephone number is (252) 523-7770
The non-profit supports people in Greene and Lenoir.
I Care, Inc. of Iredell and Lincoln County
Main location is 1415 Shelton Avenue
Statesville, NC 28677
Telephone: (704) 872-8141
The community action agency has many resources for senior citizens, including home delivered meals. They also assist with furnace repairs, process Head Start applications, and offer linkage to grant programs in North Carolina. More on programs from I Care.
Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc., (CPCA)
1401 Ross Avenue
Siler City, NC 27344
Call 919-742-2277 for intake, or learn more on Central Piedmont Community Action assistance agency programs.
Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action, Inc.
747 Shawtown Rd
Lillington, NC 27546
Telephone: ((910) 814-8360
Resources are offered for Harnett, Johnston, and Lee County. Call for weatherization, food, career counseling and referrals. Continue with community action agency of Johnston-Lee-Harnett assistance programs.
Macon Program for Progress, Inc.
82 E Orchard View Dr.
Franklin, NC 28734
Telephone: (828) 524-4471
Call (828) 524-0823
Thousands receive help every year. More on Macon Program for Progress community action agency.
Martin County Community Action, Inc.
314 Ray St
Williamston, NC 27892
(252) 792-7111
Counties - Beaufort, Pitt, and Martin. Services include Home-Delivered Meals Program, Might Men employee development, government grants, and much more. Read Martin County Community Action programs.
Mountain Projects, Inc., Community Action Agency
Main address - 2177 Asheville Rd
Waynesville, NC 28786
Telephone number is (828) 452-1447
Haywood and Jackson County.
Nash-Edgecombe Economic Development Inc.
200 N Church St
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 442-8081
Edgecombe, Nash, and Wilson County.
The agency processes applications for many public benefits. They include section for for rent, Head Start, and other North Carolina resources. Read more about Nash-Edgecombe Economic Development.
New Hanover County Community Action, Inc.
Office is at 507 N 6th St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 762-1177
North Carolina Rural Fund for Development
Mailing location - 327 N Queen St
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 523-7505
Supports immigrants and farm workers across the state.
Community Action of Durham County (formerly Operation Breakthrough)
The center for RTP and central North Carolina. Call this non-profit for weatherization applications, Head Start, and the CSBG program. Job training and Self-Sufficiency is a key goal. Continue reading community action agency in Durham NC.
Passage Home
513 Branch St,
Raleigh, NC 27601
Call 919-834-0666
This community action agency is for Wake County. Case managers work with clients on self-sufficiency, which can include accessing housing, basic needs such as clothing, and educational programs. More on financial help from Passage Home.
Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc.
Address is 1300 W. Bank Street
Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
Primary phone is (704) 633-6633
Serves towns, cities, and counties of Cabarrus, Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Rowan, and Stanly NC. Most of the assistance is in the form of referrals to programs such as loans to pay housing costs including rent or security deposits, job training programs, food stamps, and more. Click details on Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency assistance programs.
Sandhills Community Action Program
Main address - 340 Commerce Ave
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Call (910) 947-5675
Families and residents of Anson, Montgomery, Moore, and Richmond should call this non-profit community action agency. More on Sandhills Community Action Program.
WAGES - Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency, Inc.
Location is 601 E. Royall Ave.
Goldsboro, NC 27534
Dial (919) 734-1178 for intake
W.A.M.Y. Community Action, Inc.
Main address - 225 Birch Street, Suite 2
Boone, NC 28607
Telephone: (828) 264-2421
Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey
Among the programs offered are vouchers to buy seed for a garden, job training from Total Family Development, and home repair grants. Find other resources from the non-profit WAMY community action agency.
Welfare Reform Liaison Project, Inc.
Address of the center is 863 N Raleigh St
Greensboro, NC 27405
Call (336) 691-5780
Guilford County
Western Carolina Community Action, Inc.
220 King Creek Blvd.
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 693-1711
Henderson and Transylvania County. If you need help or are faced with poverty, call for food, foreclosure counseling, rent vouchers and more. Click here for details on Western Carolina Community Action agency assistance programs.
Western Economic Development Organization
Location 144 Industrial Park Drive, Unit C
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 452-7585
This community action agency help people in most western North Carolina counties. Receive financial assistance, job training, and other aid in a total of 15 Western N.C. Counties and also the Cherokee Indian Reservation.
Yadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc.
Main address - 533 N Carolina Ave
Boonville, NC 27011
Telephone: (336) 367-7251
Regions and counties covered are Davie, Yadkin, Stokes, and Surry.
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