Impact of Community Action on the CSRA in Fiscal Year 07

·         5,910 households received emergency payments to assist with fuel/energy bills, housing (rental/mortgage assistance), and prescription assistance, to avoid utility disconnection, eviction, foreclosure, and medical emergencies.

·         5,501 low-income households (majority senior citizens) received emergency food assistance.

·         17 homeless families obtained safe, affordable, transitional housing with support services, and 50% of those exiting our Program, moved into permanent housing. 

·         Our Prescription Assistance Program assisted 45 low-income families receive prescription medication they could not afford, but needed.

·         Of 57 ROSS participants beginning in FY07, 3 successfully completed the program and obtained permanent housing of their choice, permanent full-time employment, and an increased household income.  22 families attended GED or college classes to improve skills for employment. 

·         13 homeless, unemployed men received 6-month transitional housing with on-the-job training and life skills training.  Over the 9 months of program activity, (began January 2007), 5 men obtained permanent housing and 4 obtained full-time employment. 

·         Implemented four new programs/services this year:  Refuge, Shelter Plus Care, a permanent housing program for homeless families & individuals; The Way Home, Individual Development Account Program providing a match on earned savings to be used toward a home purchase and skills training for low-income families working toward purchasing a home; Enterprise Team Program, a collaborative effort with the Salvation Army, providing transitional housing and skills training for homeless, low-income men as they work toward self-sufficiency; and the Neighborhood Network Center, a collaborative effort with the Augusta Housing Authority and Richmond/Burke Job Training Authority, to provide skills assessment, skills training, computer lab, and information session site to assist public housing residents, and low-income residents in the community increase knowledge and skills to lead to increased income and permanent housing options.

·         Assisted the City of Augusta with the Continuum of Care Point-in-Time Survey, obtaining and sharing statistics and situational information regarding homelessness in Augusta.