ARRA Programs

Homeless Prevention Community Services Program (HPRP)
(Income Guidelines are 50% of AMI – Area Median Income)

Helping the homeless

 Available on September 01, 2010, this two part program will focus on stabilizing housing for homeless or at risk households.  Funding is limited, and the application process will include referrals from agencies working with homeless and near homeless households.  Income guidelines are 50% of the Area Median Income, as listed below.   

Homeless Prevention Services: This program is designed for persons who without this assistance would otherwise be homeless.  Clients in need of assistance must be under threat of eviction.  Clients in need of additional assistance will have to agree to a term of case management services to set and work towards goals.  Additional resources determined as needed per client that may be available include:  

• Partial rent payments to assist household stabilization (short term)
• Housing relocation costs – rent & security deposits (no mortgage payments)
• Rent & utility arrearage payments to prevent homelessness (no LIHEAP overlap)
• Moving costs, storage fees
• Short term motel stay, if waiting for an approved housing situation to become available

RAPID RE-HOUSING SERVICES:   Upon completion of an interview and assessment, this program will focus on getting housed first, and then provide case management services noted above to help stabilize the family.  Assistance may include help with security deposits or arrearage to qualify for public housing; however, we cannot pay public housing on-going rents.       

 Income Guidelines: 50% of AMI or less    

Other MCCA in-house ARRA programs
(Income Guidelines are 200% of Poverty Guidelines) 

Please note that all ARRA programs are now closed)

Vocational Scholarship Program – This program provides vocational and training scholarships for displaced workers, low-income and disadvantaged persons for post-secondary education and training. Participants must be enrolled in a program and complete a scholarship application.    

Employment/Vocational Needs Assistance - Resources are available to remove immediate barriers to employment, such as: job needs (uniforms, ID’s, work shoes); car repairs for school, job search or employment; in some cases, up to one month rental or mortgage assistance (if in arrears); and other small crises that endanger family stability or create difficulty maintaining a job.        

Community Services Case Management - Case management and financial literacy services will be provided to individuals who are unemployed or under-employed (individuals working below the level for which they have been trained, or working fewer hours a day than they would prefer.) Assessment and assistance is provided for clients to help them meet their employment goals and to remove barriers to self sufficiency.         

Housing Case Management – Credit repair to help stabilize families. Referrals are made, as needed, for those facing serious housing issues.     

Countering Domestic Violence (CDV) Case Management - Services for victims of domestic violence to help them stabilize their lives by retaining employment, or preparing to return to the workplace.        

Economic Development - Small Business Loans: ARRA funds have been earmarked for economic development to small businesses in Illinois to create jobs for low income residents, or for low income residents to start or expand a small business. (See Small Business Loans)     

Youth & Community Financial Literacy - Information and training on financial literacy is provided to students and families in an outreach setting. This information and training helps to develop basic budgeting and money management skills.         

Veterans Dental/Vision Care Program (referral program) - Referrals from veterans organizations to provide veterans with basic dental and vision needs, if they do not otherwise qualify for VA assistance.       

Partnerships 

ARRA funds are also supporting community partnerships with groups who are working to stabilize families and prepare people for jobs. For more information on these programs, please contact the community partners directly.          

Heartland Essentials – Heartland Community College. A sixteen week certification program in business and vocational studies for disadvantaged students. Contact Workforce Services (309) 268-8034 

Green Institute – Heartland Community College.      

Sustainable Farming Education Program - Classroom training and hands-on small farming experience with a monthly stipend for participants. Contact Julie Elzanati (309) 268-8166         

Borg Reading and Literacy Center - Illinois State University. Low income students in grades K-11 receive tutoring in reading and writing skills at the Borg Center. Contact Dr. Tom Crumpler (309) 438-5433         

Job Retention – Futures Unlimited. Thirty individuals with disabilities work with job coaches and receive services to enable them to retain employment in city-sponsored jobs. This program is available in Livingston County only. Contact Trisha Swanson (815) 842-1122         

Income Guidelines: 200% of Poverty Level or less