Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency assistance programs.
The leading non-profit in the region is the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency. They provide assistance in several counties, including Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Wexford, Missaukee, and Roscommon Counties. Some of the most in demand services from the non-profit include eviction prevention / rent help as well as food. However they also offer more focused services such as the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF).
Help with food, meals, and nutrition from NMCAA
Too many senior citizens from the service area suffer from malnutrition or inadequate diets. To address this crisis, NMCAA operates hunger prevention programs that provide healthy and nutritious meals for seniors. The main ones are below.
- Dining Senior Style Luncheon includes free hot meals which are served for seniors aged 60 and up and their spouses. This service is are available at more than 20 locations throughout Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee, Wexford, and Missaukee Counties.
- Northwest Michigan Community Action MOW - Meals on Wheels – Volunteers will deliver free, well-balanced, hot, home-delivered meals. In most cases, they are intended to be the main meal of the day for homebound seniors who are unable to cook for themselves.
- This is a regional service. MOW meals meet one-third of the federal daily nutrition requirements as set by the USDA. They too are for seniors and spouses as well. The non-profit will also provide meals as well as bags of groceries so couples are able to eat together and spouses who act as caregivers can take care of their own health. Read more on Meals on Wheels assistance programs.
Financial assistance, grants and loans from Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
Financial aid from the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provides emergency rental assistance to those at risk of eviction. There is also help to pay for security deposits as well as first month’s rent. Or homeowners in counties such as Grand Traverse or Missaukee can sign up for free foreclosure prevention assistance.
Supportive services from ESG include budget analysis services for prospective renters, case management, advocacy, and follow-up. Additionally, information packets on a variety of housing-related topics, such as landlord/tenant relations as well as low-income rental housing are available from ESG sponsored counselors.
The NMCAA Foreclosure Prevention Program provides free counseling. There could also be information on low cost loans to refinance a payment. Other parts include assessment and education to assist homeowners who are in danger of mortgage foreclosure. The well trained counselors are certified by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the statewide Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Additional services include the following. The process will help clients understand the foreclosure process; negotiate deals with the mortgage company's loss mitigation department; perform a review of the client’s complete financial situation and budget to determine possible options for lowering monthly payments; offer help in developing a plan to overcome the crisis, and, if needed, give out referrals to other NMCAA services.
The goal of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF) is to enhance the housing stability of ex-service members as well as Veteran Families. Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency may offer outreach and case management services along with cash grants. In addition, SSVF helps participants with obtaining federal VA benefits and other public aid, which may include funds for the Purchase of Emergency Supplies, Rental Assistance, Money for Heating bills, Child Care Assistance, and help for paying local Moving Costs or deposits.
The Emergency Energy Bill Assistance Program provides financial help with bills for deliverable heating fuels as well as metered utilities. This is available in all ten counties through the state of Michigan LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program. Community members are encouraged to contact their area’s NMCAA office to be prescreened for program terms.
The CDBG - Community Development Block Grant offers zero percent interest loans for the purpose of making home repairs. Credit checks are not required in order to apply for a loan, and repayment schedules are based on household income. These funds are federal, so the program requires that the entire house meet HUD standards for health and safety.
In cases where the applicant has just one major issue that needs to be remedied, this may also be covered by the loan. Other specific services from CDBG include Repair or replace heating system or electrical wiring, work done on the well and septic system, repair or even a new roof, free energy efficiency enhancements, and new, Energy Star appliances. The Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) loans can also be used to make a home accessible for the disabled. Or find other government disability home care programs.
Free counseling as well as advice
Family Self-Sufficiency is a free voluntary service that helps participants in the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Section 8 housing voucher program. Staff partner with the tenant to help them achieve economic independence. Participants agree to remain with the program for multiple years, working closely with case managers as they identify barriers, assess their strengths, set goals, and then set out to achieve them.
Some of the many benefits of the FSS program include developing a manageable household budget, moving into an improved or new employment situation, gaining a post-secondary education, and improving financial knowledge and skills. Other parts of this NMCAA program will help with improving credit and financial situation, eliminating the need for rental assistance, and escrowing money to gain self-sufficiency.
As part of self-sufficiency, individual counseling, budgeting and Financial Capability workshops are available through NMCAA’s Financial Management Services. Workshops are scheduled on a monthly basis and include Setting Financial Goals, filing income Taxes, applying to Banks and Financial Institutions for loans, and also Credit and Credit Repair. More information on free debt and credit counseling in Michigan.
Head Start offers several options to parents with a low income. All are focused on meeting the developmental needs of preschool-aged children while also providing social services for their families.
Upon enrollment using an intake site in Roscommon, Antrim, Leelanau, or nearby counties, each child is assessed for development. The results are then used to determine which educational services will foster the highest level of school success in the future. In addition to a quality educational program Head Start children benefit from free dental, medical and nutritional services.
Since parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers, strong emphasis from the community action agency is placed on parental involvement in all aspects of programming, including volunteering in the classroom as well as participating in related planning, budgeting, and staff selection. Not only that, the NMCAA Head Start Program works with other local schools as well as community resource providers to ensure that all needs are addressed.
Applying for help from NMCAA
A wide range of programs are available to help the low income, working poor, and struggling families. For more details, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency is located at 3963 Three Mile Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686-9164. Call the main office at 231-947-3780.
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