LACAP - Louisiana Association of Community Action Partnerships

Purpose

The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs.

Block Grant: States, territories, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations that wish to assist low income households in meeting the costs of home energy may apply for a LIHEAP block grant. Congress established the formula for distributing funds to States based on each State's weather and low income population. Home energy is defined by statute as a source of heating or cooling in residential dwellings.

Leveraging Incentive Program: The law authorizes supplemental LIHEAP funding for grantees that acquired non-federal leveraged resources for their LIHEAP programs in the preceding fiscal year.

Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH): The law authorizes supplemental LIHEAP funding for grantees to receive competitive grants for implementation through local community-based agencies of innovative plans to help LIHEAP eligible households reduce their energy vulnerability.

Contingency Funds: The President may release these funds to assist with the home energy needs arising from an emergency situation. They may be allocated to one or more grantees, or to all grantees, based on criteria appropriate to the nature of the emergency. In the past, the President generally has released these funds in response to emergency situations arising from extreme weather conditions or energy price increases. Generally, funds have been distributed based on the degree to which specific States are affected by the weather or energy price situation that led to the release of contingency funds.

Target Population

The authorization provides that an eligible household's income must not exceed the greater of 150 percent of the poverty level or 60 percent of the State median income. Grantees may not set income eligibility standards below 110 percent of the poverty level, but they may give priority to those households with the highest home energy costs or needs in relation to income.

Eligible Applicants

All fifty States, the District of Columbia, five territories, and about 140 Tribes and Tribal organizations receive LIHEAP grants each year. State and federally recognized Tribes (including Alaska native villages) may apply for direct LIHEAP funding.

Program Summary

LIHEAP is a Federally funded block grant program that is implemented at the State, Tribal, and Insular Area levels. Grantees serve from low income households who seek assistance for their home energy bills. LIHEAP has been operating since 1982 and its purpose is: "to assist low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes, that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs. "The program encourages priority be given to those with the " highest home energy needs", meaning low income households with a high energy burden and/or the presence of a "vulnerable" individual in the household, such as a young child, disabled person, or frail older individual.

Some forms of assistance available to low income households through State LIHEAP programs include: financial assistance towards a household's energy bill, emergency assistance if a household's home energy service is shut off or about to be shut off, and a range of other energy-related services that States may choose to offer, such as weatherization improvements, utility equipment repair and replacement, budgeting counseling and so forth.

LIHEAP grantees, i.e., States, Tribes and Insular Area governments, receive block grant funding from the Administration for Children and Families to run their LIHEAP programs. Additionally, LIHEAP grantees may receive separate contingency funds, which are released at the President's discretion to supplement needs in areas during times of energy emergencies, such as extreme weather or high fuel prices. Grantees may also apply for additional Federal funds through the optional LIHEAP Leveraging program where the Federal government provides funds to grantees that leverage their Federal LIHEAP funds with non- Federal energy assistance resources. Each year LIHEAP also awards a limited amount of funds under the REACH program to grantees that provide innovative plans through local community-based agencies to help LIHEAP-eligible households reduce their energy vulnerability and minimize health and safety risks from inadequate home temperatures.

The Division of Energy Assistance conducts the following activities in administering LIHEAP at the Federal level:

develops guidelines, policies and regulations to provide direction to grantees (States, the District of Columbia, Indian tribes/tribal organizations, and Insular areas) in administering LIHEAP
calculates grantee allotments for block grant, emergency contingency, and leveraging incentive funds
develops statistical information regarding home energy consumption, state median income estimates, fuel costs, and housing and demographic characteristics
prepares, analyzes, and recommends specific proposals for new legislation; prepares reports as required by Congress
identifies and develops research and evaluation priorities and assesses the impact of research and evaluation findings and statistical data in terms of program directions
provides leadership in interpretation and application of federal program policy as it relates to compliance activities in the LIHEAP program; evaluates compliance of grantee policies and operations with statutory and regulatory requirements; and provides support in developing and implementing program improvements
investigates complaints
reviews LIHEAP grantee applications and amendments
provides the ACF Office of Financial Management with information necessary to issue LIHEAP grants
provides assistance to States, Tribes and Insular Areas in developing energy program policies and operational procedures
assists grantees and other public and private organizations by providing training and technical assistance

Program Chronology

As the result of the increase in oil prices resulting from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil embargo in 1973, the Federal Government became involved in awarding energy assistance funds for low income households, beginning in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 1974.

Mission Statement

To reduce energy costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety.

History

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) was created in 1976 to assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiency. WAP is operated in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and works with Native American tribes. The funds provided by Congress are used to improve the energy efficiency of low-income dwellings using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. The energy conservation resulting from the efforts of state and local agencies helps our country reduce its dependency on foreign oil and decrease the cost of energy for families in need while improving the health and safety of their homes.

The WAP is governed by various federal regulations designed to help manage and account for the resources provided by DOE. WAP funding is derived from annual appropriations from Congress. Each year Senate and House Interior Appropriations committees decide how much will be allocated.

Weatherization Program Facts

Since the inception of the WAP, over 5.6 million homes have been weatherized with DOE funds. This year, an estimated 93,408 homes will be weatherized with DOE funds.

An average of 30.5 million MBtu of energy is saved as a result of weatherization. This equates to a 23% reduction in primary heating fuel use.

Low income families will save an average of $358 in reduced first-year energy costs, at current prices.

Taken together, for every $1 invested in the Program, Weatherization returns $2.69 in energy and non-energy related benefits.

Weatherization creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for every $1 million invested.

Weatherization measures reduce national energy demand by the equivalent of 18 million barrels of oil per year.

The following information is from: Metaevaluation of National Weatherization Assistance Program Based on State Studies 1993 - 2002, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, February 2003. Full report is available at ORNL/CON-488.

Weatherization saves an average of 30.8% in gas space heating. This comprises a total fuel consumption reduction of 21.9%. Net savings for each home weatherized average 29.1 MBtu/year.

Reducing energy demand decreases the environmental impacts of energy production. Weatherization mitigates approximately .23 metric tons of carbon per year in a home heated primarily with natural gas. This translates into nearly one metric ton (.85) of carbon dioxide emissions avoided. For homes heated by electricity, the savings are even higher: weatherization reduces .475 metric tons of carbon annually. Weatherization also reduces emissions of methane and nitrous oxide.

Weatherization creates non-energy benefits as well, including the following, quantifiable benefits: increased property value, reduced incidence of fire, reduced arrearages, federal taxes generated from employment, income generated from indirect employment, avoided costs of unemployment benefits, environmental externalities.

Additional benefits that are difficult to quantify include: improved health and safety conditions, increased comfort for the occupants, reduction in homelessness and mobility, extended lifetime of affordable housing.

The following information is from: Winter Energy Outlook for the Poor: Low-Income Consumers Energy Bills in the Winter of 2000-2001, Economic Opportunity Studies, December 20, 2000.

Over 5.6 million homes have been weatherized since the inception of the program. The avoided energy costs to these households during the winter of 2000-2001 totaled approximately $1 billion.

Weatherization Plus -- Next Generation

Weatherization Plus is a term that describes the evolution of the Weatherization Assistance Program from its traditional focus on heating and cooling energy conservation to an expanded focus on whole-house energy usage and whole-community efforts. The whole-house approach incorporates advanced technologies and addresses the comprehensive energy usage in low-income homes, as well as related health and safety improvements. The whole-community approach enables Weatherization providers to serve as a resource for community-based efforts to conserve energy, boost economic activity, and improve the environment.

With all successful ventures, there must be continual evolution. The Weatherization Program, for almost three decades, has demonstrated its inherent ability to transform and evolve to meet the continual changing needs of the nation's poor. Challenged by today's housing stock, the Weatherization Program continues to seek out technological advancements and ingenious approaches to address the issues facing the Program. However, while a great deal of emphasis is placed on the activities underway today; the Program prepares to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

In 2004, the Program will pull together stakeholders from all segments of the Weatherization Program network to discuss the next five years of the Program.

Next Generation -- Team Result

In collaboration with the partners throughout the network, the Program will develop clear, concise strategies for the next five years that are consistent with the Program Mission and Vision. These strategies will ensure the continued evolution of the National Program through the implementation of Weatherization Plus while ensuring the program meets production goals and captures data points that assist in articulating and justifying the Program results.

Weatherization Plus Credits

Since the inception of Weatherization Plus , the Program has experienced transformation at every level. The flexibility of the regulations and legislation has been addressed, allowing the program staff leverage resources and re-shape their programs to better meet the needs of the low-income clients served. The technological capabilities have been raised across the country, allowing for better services to be rendered and training techniques to be replicated and replenished throughout the nation. And, the resources that have come into program over the last several years have dramatically increased and affected the types of services and the number of individuals this program has been able to assist.

The following is a partial list of the activities and actions resulting from the Weatherization Plus movement:

Statutory changes restructured the method of computing the average cost per home, increasing the funds invested into each home served
Regulations were amended to add additional priority groups (high energy burden and high energy users) and to create separate categories for heath and safety expenditures and vehicle purchases
Advocacy and leveraging-related activities undertaken by the national Weatherization network has resulted in an increase of $86 million per year in nonfederal funding for low-income energy efficiency
Weatherization Trainers have organized to share information and raise the state of the practice for Weatherization workers
The National Energy Audit Tool was revised, incorporating whole-house weatherization components into the software for use by practitioners
A refrigerator replacement toolkit was developed and distributed nationally to assist agencies in assessing whether appliance replacement (on a case by case basis) would be cost-effective
Trainers and energy professionals were brought into the "Hot Climate Initiative" to support the incorporation of more advanced techniques and technologies, including electric base load measures, to help the hot climate states achieve higher energy savings per household, and to leverage additional funds to reach more households
"Best Practices" studies were funded to establish baseline goals for zonal pressure diagnostics, testing cookstoves for carbon monoxide emissions, building tightness limits, duct testing, worst case draft testing, and train-the-trainer curriculum
Representatives from the network, led by our Association partner NASCSP, developed a Weatherization Public Information Campaign to spread the message about the work being accomplished across the nation for the low-income families served. This effort included the launching and annual celebration of Weatherization Day on October 30

Why Was Weatherization Plus Developed?

Weatherization services are delivered by an established network of local Weatherization providers. Through diverse partnerships with other federal, state, community, and private entities, many Weatherization agencies have demonstrated the capability to deliver expanded services in low-income homes. Weatherization Plus has been developed to foster this capability within the full network of providers and to magnify the benefits produced through weatherization.

What Is The Goal Of Weatherization Plus?

The goal of Weatherization Plus is to achieve significantly greater energy cost savings for more low-income households and to increase the Program's contribution to the economic and environmental health and sustainability of the nation's communities.

What Are The Strategies For Acheiving The Weatherization Plus Goal?

Increase the network's flexibility and access, through legislative/regulatory program improvements, exchange of information on successes and new opportunities, and interagency partnerships
Advance the network's technological capabilities, through an integrated strategy of training and technical assistance
Expand resources available to the network, to support systematic incorporation of the whole-house approach and delivery of whole-community services

Background

Discussions about strategic planning for the evolution of the Weatherization Assistance Program first began in the fall of 1998, at the Weatherization State Program Managers' Meeting in Brooklyn, New York. As an outcome of the Brooklyn discussions, a planning group, called the Weatherization Millennium Committee, was formed. The committee included state, local and federal staff, in addition to representatives from the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) and the National Community Action Foundation (NCAF).

The Millennium Committee developed a visionary report containing a strategy for strengthening and expanding the Weatherization Assistance Program for the future. Named "Weatherization Plus : Opportunities for the 21st Century," this strategic plan urged the Department to support the network of state and local Weatherization agencies in flexibly adopting a whole-house approach and a whole-community approach to better serve low-income Americans.

The goal of Weatherization Plus is to enable the Weatherization Assistance Program to achieve significantly greater energy cost savings for more low-income households and to increase the Program's contribution to the economic and environmental health and sustainability of our nation's communities.

When the original Weatherization Millennium Committee's work was completed, a follow-on group, called the Millennium Implementation Planning Committee (nicknamed the "MIC") took the vision of the first Committee and transferred it into an implementation plan. The MIC expanded upon the membership of the original Committee to include representation of the interests of Native American tribes, training centers and other stakeholders. With input from the entire network, the MIC formulated a series of action steps to lay the groundwork for Weatherization Plus . Actions were defined in the context of the three main strategies that the original committee established. They are:

Increase the network's flexibility through legislative/regulatory program improvements, and facilitating the role of Weatherization agencies in interactions with other community-based initiatives
Advance the network's technological capabilities through an integrated strategy of training and technical assistance to employ new and advanced technologies which have been determined to be cost-effective, but have not been readily available to the Weatherization network in the past
Expand resources available to the network through exchange of information on successes and new opportunities, interagency partnerships, appropriations at state and federal levels, and other leveraged funds from multiple sources

In May of 2000, an update on Weatherization Plus was provided via a report entitled: "Progress Report on Weatherization Plus : Steps to New Opportunities in the 21st Century." It reported on the status of the 18 specific actions that the MIC defined to lay the groundwork for success assuming eventual broader network implementation when the necessary resources become available. Another update was issued in June 2001, entitled, "Weatherization Plus Progress Report: Poised to Move Forward."

Increase The Network's Flexibility

In October of 2000, statutory changes were made to the Program to restructure the method of which states compute their average cost per home; eliminate the separate per dwelling capital intensive improvements category; increase the average cost per home to $2,500; and, eliminate the requirement that 40% of funds used to weatherize a home be spent for materials
On December 8, 2000, the Weatherization Program regulations were amended to, among other things, add high-energy burden and high-energy user categories for priority service; to create a separate categoy for health and saftey expenditures and vehicle purchases; and, to revise the date for reweatherization from 1985 to 1993.

DOE has commissioned Economic Opportunity Studies to perform a number of tasks in support of an expanded role for subgrantees in the area of community-based interactions that goes beyond weatherizing individual buildings. Recently undertaken, the study will: develop a report on 2-4 case studies of subgrantees' successful work going beyond traditional weatherization services in their communities; identify other federal programs whose resources could be used by Weatherization subgrantees to expand work in their service areas; report on other federal programs funded for 2001 which may be appropriate sources of coordinated community/weatherization/sustainable development resources; and provide a catalogue of case studies.

Weatherization Plus Example -- North Carolina

The Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA), a local Weatherization provider in North Carolina, is the lead agency in the Roanoke-Chowan Rebuild America Partnership. The CADA Weatherization staff are heavily involved in the multi-million dollare renovation of a historic school building into apartments for the elderly. They are being trained as "Building Owner Agents" and will audit the buildings, interact with lenders on financing, secure vendores from a qualified pool, and commission the building. They will be compensated on a fee-for-service basis built into the retrofit financing package and funded by the energy savings.

Advance The Network's Technological Capabilities

A System to Identify and Review New Technologies/Techniques Committee (SITcom) was formed to accelerate the integration of new technologies and techniques into the Weatherization Program. An on-line tool is being developed, which will help to identify and review new and emerging technologies/techniques as well as those that are developed/applied in the field, but are not widely integrated. It will provide a technology transfer mechanism for the network and a national forum for peer exchange
A Weatherization Trainers Group was established to create an Information Exchange System for Weatherization trainers. The Trainers Group seeks to raise the state of the practice for Weatherization training by increasing communication among Weatherization trainers, thereby improving training pracitces and improving the integration of existing and advanced technologies. The group includes trainers from every region of the country
In order to move towards implementing whole-house weatherization, a whole-house version of the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) was undertaken. The latest Windows version of NEAT with some whole-house componenets was released to the network March, 2001
A Whole-House Audit Team (WHAT) was established to increase the technical base of the Weatherization network to employ whole-house energy audits. This project seeks to explore the relevant issues and make recommendations on the best ways to provide the needed tools to the weatherization entowrk. The WHAT performs a number of activities such as: providing input to ORNL on electric bas load measures in NEAT; reviewing whole-house capabilities of existing energy audit software; developing requirements and procedures for non-NEAT states to successfully incorporate electric base load measures into their Weatherization programs; and providing input for DOE to issue policy for approval of state-submitted whole-house audits (based on requirements and procedures developed above)

A project was undertaken to examine the potential for achieving savings of 30% by the Weatherization Program, consistent with the goals of the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) intitiate (operated by HUD). The analysis of savings potential in four Census regions of typical and high-energy use homes indicates that there is substantial potential to increase cost-effective savings wiht existing techologies and that there is particular potential to achieve 30% savings in high-energy-use housing stock in colder climates.

Weatherization Plus Example -- Hawaii

Hawaii's Weatherization Program utilizes advanced technology to reduce energy bills for low-income households and to reduce dependence on imported oil. Local Weatherization agencies are using leveraged funds to implement solar pilot projects. DOE Partnered with OCS, Hawaii Housing Authority, Honolulu Community Action Program, and Hawaiian Electric Company in a pilot project to install solar water heaters in low-income, multi-family dwellings in the city and county of Honolulu on the island of Oahu. After the solar measures were installed, the low-income families saved an average of $400 on their annual energy bills.

Expand Resources Available To The Network

Oak Ridge National Laboratory evaluated the potential to leverage additional weatherization resources through NOx emissions trading. The study indicates that the likely value of emissions trading allowances will be very modest and that benefits to the Weatherization Program will be minimal
A MIC workgroup comprised of representatives from NASCSP, NCAF, D&R and DOE developed a Weatherization Public Information Campaign (PIC) to spread the message about the work being done by Weatherization agencies across the nation. The goals of the PIC are to raise awareness of Weatherization and to expand opporutnities for state and local agencies to build partnerships, leverage resources, and improve services delivered to low-income families. Tools and resources developed by the group are available on the WAPTAC Web site (www.waptac.org)

Efforts are continuing in the area of electric industry restructuring to leverage additional resources. Activities are on-going with the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, the Ad Hoc Low-Income Advocates Peer Exchange, and the NCAF. The current focus in on leveraging activity in warm-climate regions and on assessing and communicating the impact of California market events to the network. Current estimates indicate that approximately $166 million per annum is being committed to low-income energy efficiency with utility rate-payer financing nationwide.

Weatherization Plus Example -- New York

Weatherization technicians provide comprehensive energy efficiency solutions for low-income families and also serve as an energy efficiency resource to the community. Several local Weatherization agencies in New York are participating in an innovative utility restructuring pilot project, funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to aggregate low-income clients and act as an energy broker on behalf of this group. The goal is to secure a fair rate for low-income households and ensure the continued provision of energy efficiency and consumer support services.

Additional Efforts

Based on DOE grant, the Chicago Region Weatherization states have been working on a number of research projects designed to develop "Best Practices" for use in the Weatherization Program. The eight states in the region have also contributed funding and raised additional dollars for these projects. Areas of research focused on zonal pressure diagnostics, testing cookstoves for carbon monoxide emmissions, building tightness limites, duct testing, worst case draft testing, and a train-the-trainer curriculum. The results of this project were shared at a regional conference in July 2001 and at the National Weatherization Training Conference in November 2001.

In May 2001, DOE sponsored a meeting of the 17 states with significant "hot climate" areas, to re-launch a set of initiatives targeted to their particular issues and opportunities. These initiatives will support the incorporation of more advanced technologies and techniques, including electric base load measures, which will help these states to achieve highter energy savings per household, and to leverage additional funds so they can reach more households.

Other Programs LACAP Offers

Youth & Education Programs

Louisiana's Community Action Agencies provide numerous programs designed to educate children, teenagers, and young adults. From daycare through high school programs, to youth offender and youth employment initiatives, CAAs have a variety of programs to help any child achieve greatness. Programs include: Family Home Daycare, Day Care Development, Early Head Start, Head Start, LA Chip Program, School Supplies, Tutorial Program, Literacy Programs, English as a Second Language Program, Reach High 21 Academic Program, Supplemental Education Service, Tuition Assistance, Youth Development Life Skills Program, Summer Youth Work Experience, Summer Youth Jobs, Youth Employment, Adolescent Health Education, After School Pregnancy Prevention Training, Coalition for Better Tomorrow (Drug Free) Program, Child Abuse Advocacy, Intervention for Family Stabilization, Youth Offenders, Children Trust Fund, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Adult Education

As well as educating children and youth, Community Action Agencies provide countless education programs to adults who are interested in classes, or who may need to increase proficiency levels in certain areas. Programs include Adult Basic Education, Reach High 21 Academic Program, Tuition Assistance, Literacy Programs, GED Preparation, Tutorial Programs, Supplemental Education Services, Skills Training, Citizenship Education, Migrant Education, English as a Second Language Programs, Consumer Education Classes, Fraud and Scam Prevention Education, Computer/Technology Skills, Gardening, Canning and Sewing Classes, Self-Help Production, Nutrition Education, Coalition for Better Tomorrow (Drug Free) Program, Family Planning Service, Parenting Skills, Fatherhood Training Man-to-Man, Infant Safety Seat Program, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Senior & Elderly Programs

Community Action Agencies offer programs for seniors and the elderly for just about every need you can think of! Seniors in need, and even seniors looking for jobs or volunteer opportunities, can find what they're looking for at their local Community Action Agency. Programs include Elderly Service Opportunities, Retired Senior Volunteers, Foster Grandparents, Elderly Assistance Devices, Emergency Prescriptions, Food for Seniors, Crime Prevention for Elderly, Connections for Independent Living, Emergency Clothing Distribution, Older Worker Employment Program, Council on Aging Meals, Senior Companion Program, Council on Aging Information and Referral, Emergency Evacuation for Elderly and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Assistance for the Disabled

Disabled persons with transportation or special equipment needs can turn to their local Community Action Agency. Programs include Handicap Assistance Equipment Programs, Emergency Evacuation for Disabled, Disabled Children Transportation, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Veteran Assistance

In addition to the many programs offered by Community Action Agencies, Louisiana veterans are also eligible for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which veteran programs are available in your area.

Health Programs

Need help with prescriptions, health care coverage, dental or vision checks? Louisiana's Community Action Agencies can help! Check with us for programs concerning Primary Healthcare, Health Fairs, Immunizations, Blood Pressure Readings, General Dental Services, Dental Health Education, Vision Screening, Mental Health Program, Medicaid Application Center, Medicare Part "D" Applications, Pharmaceutical Access Program, Medicine Assistance, Emergency Prescriptions, Life Sustaining Medication Services, Crisis Intervention and Management, Intervention for Family Stabilization, Medical Payment Assistance, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Transportation Assistance

Your car broke down. You need to get to the hospital. You've got a job but no way to get there. Community Action Agencies offer programs to assist in all your transportation needs, including Emergency Medical Transportation, Transportation Project, Reverse Commute Job Access Transportation, Vocational Rehab and Medicaid Transportation, Multi-Purpose Transportation Components, Transportation for Finding Work, and more. Contact your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Employment Programs

Need a job? Louisiana's Community Action Agencies can help. With programs including Skills Training, Job Readiness, STEP Work Program, Employment Generating Project, Job Placement Assistance, Community Work Assistance, Small Business Development, Older Worker Employment Program, Vocational Rehabilitation, and more, you're sure to find the job you're looking for. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Financial Training & Assistance

Community Action Agencies offer programs to assist with financial needs, including Budget Counseling, Non-Food Item Vouchers, Legal Aid, Money Management, Household Financial Counseling, Income Tax Counseling, Home Ownership Counseling, Cash Assistance, Medical Payment Assistance, Credit Repair, Disaster Relief, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Housing (Shelters, Rentals, Home Ownership)

Not only do Louisiana's Community Action Agencies want you to have a roof over your head, but they want to help you own that roof! With programs from emergency shelter assistance to home-ownership and mortgage assistance, CAAs can help you with your housing needs. Programs include Homeless Shelters, Homeless to Stable Housing, Temporary Shelters, Apartments for Rent, United Way Rental Assistance, Housing Counseling and Landlord Tenant Advocacy, Brokerage Advocacy, Home Ownership, Mortgage Assistance, Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention, Restore-Housing Rehabilitation, Reverse Mortgage, Multi-Family Housing Complexes, Supportive Housing Program, Low-Income Home Repairs, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Energy/Utility Assistance

Having trouble paying your utility bills? Suffered damage due to a hurricane? Community Action Agencies have many programs for energy assistance, including the Weatherization Assistance Program, United Way Energy Assistance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Utility Assistance, Household Fuel Vendor Payments, Home Cooling, Heat Relief, Fans Program, Emergency Energy Support, Blanket Distribution, Disaster Relief, Home Insulation, Black Elk Energy ???, Energy Conservation and Weatherization Workshops, Water Assistance Program, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Food Distribution

Community Action Agencies believe that no one should go hungry. If you and your family are in need of food, CAAs offer assistance in most parishes. Programs include Food Banks, Food for Seniors, Food for Disabled, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Food for Mothers and Infants, Food for Families, USDA Commodities, Surplus Food Distribution, Food Vouchers, Emergency Food, Council on Aging Meals, Food Boxes, Hot Meals, Nutrition Education, Summer Food Service Program, and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.

Holiday Assistance

Some Community Action Agencies offer programs for the holidays. These programs include Thanksgiving Food Baskets, Needy Christmas Program, Christmas Food Baskets, Emergency Clothing Distribution, Blanket Distribution and more. Check with your local Community Action Agency to find out which programs are available in your area.