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Housing Resources

 

  • IMPACT Hope Fund

    Rental and utility assistance for households experiencing hardships caused by COVID-19
     
    Click here to find out more

IMPACT Community Action: Summer Crisis Program

 

July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021
 

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households with an older household member (60 years or older), that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or require air conditioning. Conditions can include such things as lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with IMPACT Community Action. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 614-246-0019.

Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:

• Copies of their most recent energy bills

• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members

• Proof of disability (if applicable)

For more information about the features of the Crisis Program, contact IMPACT Community Action at 614-252-2799. For more information about Energy Assistance Programs call (800)282-0880, Monday through Friday (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) and for a list of Energy Assistance Providers select option 2, or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.


Rental Assistance

   

  • Franklin County’s One-Time or Short-Term Assistance – One-time financial assistance to help in emergency situations.

    • Must have at least one minor child (or pregnant and in third trimester or later) living in your household,
    • AND have a gross household income at or below 165% of federal poverty level.
    • Can apply for maximum of $1,500
    • Can request aid for more than one emerging need including:
    • Housing assistance (covering pas due rent or mortgage payments to avoid eviction)
    • Utility aid (except for home heating source utility during months that other aid programs are in operation)
 
 

Utility Assistance

 

  • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – Helps households prevent disruptions in energy service, restore disconnected services, and/or secure heating/cooling needs.

         Providers:

 

                    - HEAP Online Application from The Breathing Association

 

  • HEAP Winter Crisis Program - Helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, or have less than 25% supply of bulk fuel in their tank to maintain their utility service. (Must be a member of PIPP if consumer of PUCO regulated utility)

           Providers:

 

  • HEAP Summer Crisis Program – Income eligible Ohioans who are, or a member of their household is, over 60 years old or have a qualifying medical condition and have a disconnection notice can apply for bill payment assistance and/or air conditioner during the summer. (Households served by non-regulated utility with disconnection notice are also eligible.)

           Providers:

 

  • Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) – Helps eligible Ohioans manage energy bills year-round by basing consistent payments on percentage of household income.

    • Call (800) 282-0880 to be directed to local PIPP provider
 


Emergency Assistance

   

  • Franklin County Disaster-Related Assistance with PRC – assistance available for eligible individuals who have sustained damage or losses as a result of a state-declared natural disaster or personal disaster (i.e., house fire, flood)

    • For a state-declared natural disaster – and if Franklin County is declared a disaster county and is allocated federal disaster funds – then the Assistance Group must apply for federal disaster benefits at the local agency designated by the state to receive FEMA funding.
 


Emergency Shelter

 

  • Community Shelter Board

    • Experiencing homelessness and/or need shelter?
      Call (614) 274-7000
      (Homeless hotline, open 24/7)
      365 E. Campus View Blvd., Suite 250, Columbus, OH 43235
    • (614) 221-9195  -  (614) 221-9199 (fax)   Info@csb.org     Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
 

  • Star House – Social service agency and drop-in center for Central Ohio youth ages 14-24

    • For shelter, call: (614) 274-7000
    • Open every day 10:30 pm – 2:00 pm
 

  •  Huckleberry House – Crisis shelter for teens

    • 24 hour crisis line (614) 294-5553
    • Crisis shelter (614) 294-8097
    • 1421 Hamlet St.
      Columbus, OH 43201
   

  • Franklin Station (Adult Men and Women)

    • 524 W. Broad St.
      Columbus, OH 43215
      (614) 662-1020
      (614) 662-1023 (Fax)
 

Affordable Housing Assistance

 

  • The Ohio Housing Finance Agency -- offers down payment assistance, career-related interest rate discounts and other loan products to make buying a home or condo easier.

    • Ohio Housing Finance Agency – Down Payment Assistance -- Helps buyers with down payment and closing costs through offering of 30-year fixed rate conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA-RD government loans with wide income and purchase price limits. Designed to help homebuyers with low- and moderate-incomes.
    • OHFA’s “What to Expect Video” - https://youtu.be/XvhtbIpT-94 -- Process overview: This video covers the steps that lead to homeownership when you use the Ohio Housing Finance Agency