ESC Annual Report 2018

HOUSING & ENERGY SOLUTIONS
The State of Missouri was allocated
just over $73 million for utility
assistance programs in 2017.
This resource is utilized for the
families who struggled with energy
burden due to older housing stock,
including heating systems. Most
of these resources reduce heating
and cooling costs for the most
vulnerable Southwest Missourian.
Over 5,089 vulnerable households
utilized the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program’s
Energy Assistance. These funds
are designed to provide relief
to low-income households who
experience high usage energy
during the winter and summer bill
cycles, thereby reducing their risk
of health and safety problems.
The majority of the households
targeted are considered to be very
low income with 52% of households
having incomes at or below 75%
of the Federal Poverty guideline.
For example, a household of one
would be making less than $735.62
gross income per month.
The Homeless Coalition’s
Continuum of Care which Economic
Security Corporation of SW Area
(ESC), Missouri Department of
Mental Health and the Jasper
County Public Housing Agency are
working in partnership by creating
permanent supportive housing
opportunities in Jasper and Newton
Counties. The partnership includes:
The Homeless Coalition, Missouri
Department of Mental Health,
Jasper County Public Housing
During the winter, households
were also assisted through
the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program’s Energy Crisis
Intervention Program (ECIP). These
funds are designed to be used with
households with imminent threat
of shut-off of their primary heating
system. In the summer months funds
are available to help with cooling
bills. A majority of these utility
customers were seniors or those
suffering from medical conditions
that require air conditioning. A total
of 4,333 households benefited in
the winter and summer with help
from the Energy Crisis Intervention
Program. In addition, to utility
assistance payments, Economic
Security Corporation of Southwest
Area (ESC) was able to provide 17
furnace repairs or replacements to
qualifying clients under the ECIP
program. This alternative allocation
of funds was extremely helpful to
the families who received them
because replacing or repairing a
furnace can be very expensive.
Agency and public landlords.
Permanent Supportive Housing
offers housing solutions for persons
who are homeless and have a
long term disability. All families or
individuals pay 30% of their income
towards their rent, which we refer
to as their “fair share.” Then ESC
provides the rental gap between
the family or individual “fair share”
and what the rental unit’s fair market
rent is, which ensures a safe, secure
and adequate home for the family
We went
to a
MOBILE
APP
this year!
Repairing or replacing a unit can
often increase energy efficiency
which can result in lower utility bills
for the family. These are federal
funds that keep the most vulnerable
neighbors warm and safe, provided
through the Department of Health
and Human Services, Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP).
Permanent Housing for the Homeless,
Ending Homelessness
or individual. All of this happens
while other community agencies
provide resources and networking
opportunities to maintain their
health and wellness. These families
may also be working part-time jobs;
in many cases they are unable to
maintain a full-time job due to their
disability. ESC impact with this
project is that 85% of 65 homeless
individuals remain housed after
one year, creating neighborhood
stability.
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