Low Income Resource Roundup for April 29, 2023

We’ve uncovered new ways to get help this week! From huge housing changes to state tax rebates to free air conditioners, here’s a list of the new low income assistance programs you can’t afford to miss!

Nationwide

There’s been both good and bad news nationwide this week! Let’s talk about how it affects you.

Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2023

You may have noticed that Section 8 has been harder and harder to use lately, because a lot of landlords don’t want to accept the vouchers. It’s really frustrating that some people wait years to get their Housing Choice voucher, only to discover that they can’t find a landlord that will accept them.

That’s why some members of Congress have introduced a bill that would prohibit landlords from discriminating based on source of income. This means that landlords would not be able to turn you down just because you have Section 8, SSI, or even payments from a trust or guardian that help you pay your rent.

This is an incredibly important bill, so please reach out to your elected officials and ask them to support the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2023. 

Help for Low Income Mortgage Borrowers

In nationwide news, a new federal rule seeks to help low income home buyers with low credit purchase homes. This rule changes some of the up-front fees that have to be paid when you get a mortgage. The cost for low income, lower-credit borrowers will be reduced and the cost for high-credit, higher-income borrowers will be slightly increased. The new rule takes effect May 1st. 

Also, if you’re interested in buying a home, we’ve found a lot of resources that can help you do that. Be sure to check out our article about low income homebuyer programs.

Senior Housing Modification Grants

For those who already own homes, you may be interested to know that HUD has recently awarded $15 million to agencies that will help seniors age in place.

The Older Adults Home Modifications Program provides home modification grants that can help make homes safer by seniors. The goal is to reduce your risk of falling, improve your safety, and make your home more accessible and usable. The money was divided among rural and urban organizations.

The rural grants were given to organizations in California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. I’ll explain more about that in our local news section. 

Local Low Income News

Now we’re going to talk about some local news. We’ve got information for a lot of states today, including some that usually don’t make the list.  

Alaska

The former Golden Lion Hotel in Anchorage is reopening as low income housing! There are 85 units in this new housing complex.

The city has converted several old hotels into low income housing units recently, which I think is amazing. 

Arkansas

The USDA has announced that residents of Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski Counties can receive D-SNAP benefits. These benefits can provide you with extra food benefits if you’ve been affected by a disaster.

The amount you receive will be equal to one month’s worth of the maximum allotment for your household size.

Applications are only open until May 2, and you need to apply for D-SNAP in order to get those benefits.

California

Extra funding was distributed to Habitat East Bay/Silicon Valley and Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County to help seniors with home modification. If you need assistance with your home, I recommend reaching out to them for details.

Colorado

The deadline to apply for LEAP is Monday, May 1. If you want help with your winter heating bills, you need to apply by Monday.

According to local news outlet KOAA, you need to have a household income that is less than $2,800 per month to qualify if you are single or a household income that is less than $5,500 per month for a family of four.

You can apply by calling 1-866-HEAT-HELP or by contacting Colorado PEAK. 

Connecticut

The Hartford Healthcare’s RX for Health program provides food prescriptions to low income families with children under age 18 in Norwich and Windham. Families who participate receive $126 in vouchers that can be exchanged for fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets and grocery stores.

In order to participate, you must be referred by your pediatrician. 

Delaware

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has received additional funding for home repair grants. 

Florida

The Take Stock in Children mentoring program is accepting applications. This program provides mentoring and assistance for low income 7th and 8th grade students in the Hillsborough County Public School District. This program can also help you qualify for a scholarship. You need to apply by Monday, May 15. 

Also in Florida, the movement to expand Medicaid to all low income adults is gaining momentum. Florida is currently one of only 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid. If you live in Florida and you’d like to help with this effort, please follow the group called Florida Decides Healthcare to see how you can support them. 

Georgia

Habitat for Humanity International and Gwinnett Housing Corporation have received HUD funding to help with senior home repairs.

In Dawson, a monthly food drive by Feeding the Valley provides free food to those who show up at the old high school gym on the fourth Saturday of every month. 

Hawaii

House Bill 961 would increase the state subsidy for children enrolled in Open Doors, which would make more preschool opportunities available to low income families. If you support that bill, make sure to let your state officials know!

Illinois

Northwest Housing Partnership may be able to help you with senior home repairs.

The new Home Repair and Accessibility Program (HRAP) from the Illinois Housing Development Authority can also provide assistance with home repairs. This program serves homeowners who have an income that is 80% or less of the Area Median income. You have to be current on your mortgage payments in order to qualify.

There are 36 different agencies that can help you apply for this program, including many City Community Development offices, Habitat for Humanity offices, and others. 

Kansas

The Kansas Food Bank is trying to raise awareness of the Commodity Supplemental Food program. This program helps anyone who is at least 60 years old and meets the income requirements. The foods offered through this program include milk, cheese, juice, oats, cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, beans, meat, fruits and vegetables.

You must apply with the Kansas Food Bank in order to participate in this program. It’s available in Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth, Geary, Graham, Hodgeman, Kearney, Kiowa, Labette, Lyon, Marion, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Russell, Saline, Seward, and Sherman Counties.

If you live in other counties, the program is still available to you but you’ll need to contact either the Cross Lines Cooperative Council, United Methodist Open Door of Wichita, or Harvesters Community Food Bank for details. 

Louisiana

New Orleans Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together New Orleans were both awarded some of that HUD money for senior home modification grants.

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana is also accepting applications for the Summer Impact Grant program, which can provide summer program scholarships to students between the ages of 5 and 18 years old.

Michigan

A new state bill could provide up to 700,000 families with a tax credit check later this year. The state had already decided to increase the state earned income tax credit but the change was supposed to take effect next year. The new bill that has been introduced would make it effective this year so that families could get those checks sooner. If the new bill is passed, families could receive those checks later this year. The amount varies, but a family of four could receive up to $2,080 dollars. 

The LIHWAP program is currently accepting applications through September 30, 2023, according to local news outlet Press & Guide. This program can help you pay your past-due water and wastewater bills. You can apply with your local Community Action Council. 

In Kalamazoo, the Pathway Home program is helping low income renters become homeowners. In order to be eligible, you need to have a household income that is under 80% of the Area Median Income (that’s about $61,900 for a family of four), and want to purchase a home within Kalamazoo County. When you participate in the program, you’ll get personalized coaching, down payment assistance, and more. 

Minnesota

Rebuilding Together Twin Cities was awarded money for senior modifications.

The Minnesota State Senate is also considering a proposal that would reduce the tax on Social Security Income and provide one-time rebate checks and child tax credits.

If this bill passes, the one-time rebate would be $279 for any Minnesota resident who earned up to $75,000 in 2021. There would be an additional $56 per child for up to three children as well, for a possible total of $447. There would be an additional child tax credit of $620 per child for up to three children as well. The plan would also reduce the Social Security tax so that anyone who earns less than $78,000 per year as a single person or up to $100,000 as a couple would not have to pay taxes on their Social Security benefits.

It is not clear if this will pass yet, but you can always reach out to your state lawmakers to encourage them to support this proposal. 

Mississippi

Hancock Resource Center received funds for senior home modifications.

Missouri

IBEW Local 1 has been helping seniors with home repairs through the program Rebuilding Together. If you need assistance with your home, please contact Rebuilding Together to see if you are eligible for assistance. 

Nebraska

A megachurch called Brookside Church of Omaha is adding an Auto Care Center to their ministry. This will offer discounted and free car repair services to low income residents who referred by a local agency or nearby school. 

New York

The state has authorized $15 million to help low income residents get air conditioners installed in their homes. In order to be eligible, you have to apply for summer HEAP benefits. Applications open on May 1st! You can find a list of HEAP agencies on the New York OTDA website. 

North Carolina

The Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry Inc. received those HUD funds.

Ohio

The Ohio Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio also received funds to help seniors with home modifications. 

A new program called Nourishing Beginnings is helping low income pregnant women get more food. This program can provide tailored food boxes or cash for groceries. 

Oregon

Low income residents can apply to receive a free air conditioner through a grant program authorized last year. There is a statewide program but it does not have any application instructions, as you must be referred to the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services or Office of Aging and People with Disabilities.

However, Portland residents can apply for a free air conditioner through the city’s program. In order to be eligible, you must live in the city of Portland and have a household income that is 60% or less of the Area Median Income. That’s $44,760 for a single person, $51,120 for a couple, or $63,900 per year for a family of four.

In order to apply, you need to contact one of their partner community organizations, which include the African American Alliance for Homeownership, APANO, and Verde. 

South Dakota

A foundation called Starting Strong Rapid City just completed it’s 10th annual fundraiser. This program provides scholarships to low income families who cannot afford preschool education.

Tennessee

Appalachia Service Project received money to help seniors in substantially rural areas with home modifications.

The city of Chattanooga has also launched a pilot program that provides free telehealth access to 1,000 low income residents of the city.

Texas

Dallas residents who are at risk of housing instability and displacement may be able to get financial assistance from the city. The program has two parts. It can provide a subsidy for up to 12 months to help you renew your lease, and it can also provide relocation assistance if you need to move because your property is unaffordable or unsafe. You need to be a Dallas resident in order to qualify.

In San Antonio, the YWCA is building a Live and Learn Campus that will house 30 women between the ages of 17 and 25. They hope to complete the campus in spring of 2024. 

In Lubbock, the local school district has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help build houses for low income residents! I think this is a great opportunity for those students, and it’s really helpful to their local community. I hope more schools will roll out programs like this. 

Virginia

The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services also received funding for home modification grants.

Wisconsin 

The Efficiency Navigator Program is accepting applications for 2023. This program provides energy-efficiency upgrades for low income families in the Madison area.

Summary

The article highlights new low-income assistance programs across the US, including a proposed bill that would prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their source of income. Other programs include new rules to help low-income home buyers with low credit scores purchase homes, and grants for senior home modifications. Additionally, the article provides information on local low-income news and assistance programs for 26 states.

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.