Program areas at MVAC
Low-income energy assistance and covid relief - this program was established to combat the continuing hardship brought upon low-income households by rising energy costs. Its purpose is to assist eligible households with their heating bills. Assistance is in the form of a direct payment to a fuel/utility vendor on behalf of the household. Served were 8,240 households. Covid relief provided eligible households with assistance with rent, utilities, food supports, and weatherization. Households received direct utility company or landlord payments on their behalf. Served were approximately 2,560 households.
Employment and training - 292 adults gained employment with our workforce development training and assistance. Provided employment to 74 individuals who lost their jobs due to business/plant closing or downsizing. 103 at-risk teenagers had the opportunity to learn and earn through paid work experience, planning for careers and achieving success in their education and training. Provided services through Minnesota family investment program (mfip) in the counties of lesueur, nicollet, brown, sibley, and waseca. These services are designed to decrease long-term welfare dependency. Served were approximately 2,045 individuals. Supplemental nutrition assistance program (snap) - employment and training - participants take steps to improve skills that can lead to a career and financial independence. Approximately 79 households were served. Outreach - to reach out to eligible low-income people who are not currently participating in snap and share information about nutrition benefits of snap to help them make an informed decision. Approximately 50 individuals were served.
Head start - 684 low-income children participated in quality preschool. Hearing and vision screenings were provided to 663 children. 422 children received dental exams, some for the very first time. Provided 147 pregnant women, infants and toddles with quality home visiting services. 581 volunteers contributed their time to enhance the service provided to families.
Other programs - car donation program provides vehicles to struggling low-wage workers so they can maintain jobs and care for their families. Approximately 98 families were assisted. Mvac fielded 3,332 inquiries for car information and assistance. 10 individuals participated in the new-lease car program. Our vita tax site completed 1,302 tax returns resulting in $1,455,208 tax refunds or credits for low income individuals. We have provided 6 people the opportunity to save for the purchase of a home, money for post secondary training or starting up a small business through the faim initiative (family assets for independence in mn). Assisted 87,233 callers and 10,773 visits to our offices.
Housing - Minnesota housing finance agency (mhfa) money is available to make energy-saving and general home improvements for homeowners of all income levels. Mhfa subsidizes loans to encourage homeowners to make home improvements to help maintain the image of clean, well-run rural communities. Loan programs include fix-up loan, community fix-up rehabilitation loan, and rental rehabilitation loan programs. We assisted 48 people to secure low interest loans so they could make needed improvements to their homes. Mhfa also provides funding for homeless prevention to help households from either becoming homeless because of an eviction, or if they are currently homeless, (by hud's definition) get them into permanent housing. Facilitated 9 homelessness response teams. Assisted 200 households with services that prevented them from joining the ranks of homeless statistics. Weatherization assistance - this program is available to both low-income homeowners and renters in the nine-county area. It is designed to provide energy conservation service such as furnace modifications, caulking, weatherstripping, attic insulation, repair of primary windows, storm windows, minor foundation repairs and insulation, hot water heater and pipe insulation and furnace maintenance. The primary purpose of the program is to prevent heat loss in the home and thus reduce energy consumption for low-income households. Served were 157 households and replaced or repaired 208 faulty furnaces. Low-income housing assistance - under the hud section 8 voucher choice program rent subsidy payments are provided for qualified low-income families and elderly, disabled or handicapped persons renting from private landlords. The participants pay up to 30% of their income towards rent and utilities and the balance is paid directly to the landlord through hud funding. Approximately 360 households were served. Community development block grant - this program provides funds for housing rehabilitation with deferred loan repayment over an extended period of time. Currently, mvac operates the cdbg program in the cities of mankato, st peter, winnebago, kasota, vernon center, montgomery, fairmont, mapleton, trimont, waterville, and belle plaine. Served were over 10 households or commercial buildings.