Programs from Community Council of Greater Dallas.
Dallas County residents that need short term help and longer term self-sufficiency may be able to get assistance from the local community action agency. This non-profit, now known as the Community Council of Greater Dallas, also may offer support or referrals in partnership with local organizations that are focused on helping the less fortunate. Case managers can help individuals receive assistance is a crisis and also provide long term self-sufficiency to the family.
Financial help from Dallas Community Action
Housing needs can be met from homeless prevention services, foreclosure counseling and rent assistance, all of which may be available. Much of the assistance is provided from the Housing Department and the Emergency Financial assistance program. They are a HUD approved agency and offer services such as Mortgage Default Counseling/Foreclosure Intervention, Financial Literacy/Money Management Workshops, Rental Delinquency Counseling, and Home Buyer Educational Workshops.
The county center will also coordinate resources for mortgage advice and foreclosure delinquency counseling. This is another housing program that is focused on helping families avoid a foreclosure of their home. All counselors will be HUD certified as well.
Some of the solutions for a home loan include refinancing, special forbearance or a repayment plan, partial claim, mortgage modification, pre-foreclosure sale, or a deed-in-lieu. Appointments can be made with clients to discuss their options and possible solutions. Or find additional ways to get foreclosure help from partners of the Community Center of Dallas.
Energy bill programs can assist income qualified clients with payments on their cooling, heating and utility bills. This can be offered from LIHEAP, Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) or other resources. The community action agency can help in other ways as well, including home weatherization and by offering information on utility discounts that are available from energy companies. Referrals and more information on these services can be provided, including linkage to utility company services that can provide help with energy bills to low income families.
While funding is limited, some emergency financial assistance may be offered. A number of conditions will need to be met. When possible, Community Council of Greater Dallas can provide help for paying housing (rent and mortgage payments) and also delinquent utilities (electricity, water and gas).
Information on regional low income housing programs is provided. The non-profit community services organization provides resources to families and individuals that qualify. Another local option is the section 8 voucher program.
Residents of Dallas County rely on their cars and gasoline to get around the region. The area is spread out, and the community action agency will try to address transportation needs. This includes resources for car repairs from volunteers mechanics at churches, bus passes, or even free gasoline for work or to drop a kid at daycare. The transportation needs to be focused on achieving self-sufficiency though, everything from employment to credit counseling, interviews, or the like.
Employment, debt reduction, and case management from community action
Additional housing services are also offered by the community action agency. They are part of the regional Family Self-Sufficiency Program, or FSS. They can assist the homeless in Dallas County Texas. Financial aid, support, and in general a continuum of care may be offered for qualified families, sometimes in partnership with other non-profits. They need to be found eligible and also be ready to take part in various case management services. As any housing or rent assistance paid out is very short term in nature and the client need to be able to address barriers to becoming self-sufficient and they need to obtain stable housing.
A main focus of the Community Action Partnership is on offering Family Self-Sufficiency Services. The programs available can enable qualified families and individuals to gain stability. Most of the priority is on those residents that meet certain federal government poverty guidelines.
Staff from the non-profit Community Council of Greater Dallas will work with clients and help them both achieve and also maintain self-sufficiency. Help is available so that they can overcome barriers to employment and assist them with eliminating challenges that have resulted in dependency. The self-sufficiency focuses on improving the ability of family members to gain training and education and also become job ready. Clients will be put into a position in which they can develop social competence to improve their income and overall living conditions. Some of the specific Family Self-Sufficiency Services available include.
- Education and workshops on asset building. They can guide low income families to start emergency savings and show the tools to do that.
- Support for individuals and families, information on government aid and other public aid recipients.
- Clients can gain access to free income tax assistance filing services. Also learn how to benefit from the Child Tax Credit as well as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
- Get referrals resources in Dallas County that can help with emergency needs.
- Employment assistance is wide ranging. See below for more details.
- Staff from CAP and their non-profit partners can help people obtain low or free health insurance or medical care.
- Receive help in applying for food stamps.
- Free income tax preparation and filing may be offered from VITA.
Local programs and centers provide job readiness, placement, and career development workshops. Monthly recruitment is provided by area employers in partnership with the League and other agencies. The Community Council of Greater Dallas Workforce Readiness Training can assist qualified job seekers who need new skills for entering or re-entering the workforce. Workshops, training and more is offered. Some special resources are also offered for youth or seniors that live in the Dallas County region and that need employment.
Head Start is another federally funded program. It is an option for preschool age children in Dallas County that range in age from 3-5 years old. This will help put the child on path to a strong educational foundation and also help with basic needs such as food, medical care, and similar items.
Locations of Community Council of Greater Dallas
There are multiple sites. The locations of the Community Service Centers are as follows. The main office is at 341 W Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247. Dial (214) 871-5065.
Another Community Council of Greater Dallas is based at 1349 Empire Central Dr, Dallas, TX 75247. Call (214) 871-5065
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