The leading non-profit organization that serves the Ohio counties of Carroll, Harrison, and Tuscarawas is HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization. They provide assistance to people who are struggling with poverty and may be able to offer temporary financial assistance during that time.
The agency provides housing programs that offer services, one-time financial aid, and other support. Assistance can help with things like preventing homelessness, foreclosures, and evictions.
The HARCATUS counselors are trained and certified through the NeighborWorks organization, which is a national nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. The agency has also chosen to follow the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling guideline.
HUD certified counselors can provide free services to help with Post and Pre Purchase Homeownership Education, Foreclosure Intervention and Mortgage Default Counseling, and coordinate Landlord Mediation services.
Tri-County Community Action also provides additional services. They can provide the Save the Dream Ohio Restoring Stability service in counties such as Carroll. The National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program is a government initiative that provides counseling and assistance to homeowners who are struggling with foreclosure.
The workshops will be about different topics such as renting responsibilities for tenants, mortgage modification advice, general financial literacy, and counseling. For more details, call 740-922-6692.
Weatherization Services are services that help make homes more energy efficient. These measures can include things like installing insulation or weather-stripping. They are typically provided free of charge to homeowners. The program is available to low-income residents in Harrison and Tuscarawas County, as well as other cities. The goal is to help people reduce the amount of money they spend on energy for their home each year. This includes costs for heating, cooling, and other energy needs.
A secondary goal is to make the home more comfortable and safe. Both homeowners and renters can use HWAP services. The state of Ohio gives priority to disabled and senior citizens.
After a thorough inspection of the home, the appropriate and cost-effective alterations are made, including the following. Contractors who work on weatherization projects may help with installing aerators, sealing leaks, adding extra insulation, repairing hot water tanks, installing low-flow showerheads, and much more.
The HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization provides emergency assistance for residents in its Tri-County service area who are struggling to pay their home energy bills. The organization offers several different programs to help residents with their energy bills. Many programs are run in partnership with companies such as Columbia Gas, AEP, or American Electric. The main heating and utility resources are natural gas, electricity, and oil.
The Ohio Winter Crisis Program provides cash grants to low-income or working-poor households to help pay for winter heating costs. The aid is for people in Tri-County Ohio who don’t have heat or are low on fuel. One option is to participate in the Summer Crisis Program, which helps low-income people pay their electric bills during the summer months. If it’s really hot outside and you qualify, you may be able to get a free window air conditioner from Ohio.
This means that the state requires an additional payment for low-income residents who heat with natural gas or electric. This means that the gas and electric companies are working together on this project. This means that if your monthly income is less than 150% of the current poverty guidelines, you can arrange to pay your bill over time.
Community Action Agency staff can help negotiate an arrangement in which regulated natural gas and electric companies accept payments of a certain percentage of the customer’s monthly household income. This is a type of discount for customers who are working poor or have a disabled member in their household.
A free food pantry and taxable item program provides non-perishable canned food and other items to income-eligible clients. This is for people who are in the Tuscarawas area and need help right away.
This service is for emergency needs only and each qualified household can only use it once a month. There are income limits for clients and they must be able to show that they live in the area. The food pantry at the Harrison County HARCATUS Family Support Center is run by volunteers and community members.
The Senior Nutrition Program provides more food for seniors. This program provides free hot, nutritious meals to the elderly and their spouses who are over 60 years old. The meals are served either in congregate settings or delivered to those who are homebound, such as the disabled in Harrison or Tuscarawas.
The meals are held on weekdays at different locations throughout Ohio, where seniors can also socialize and do different activities. There is transportation available, but it may be limited and/or have a low cost. The home-delivery service provides a way for seniors who are not able to leave their homes to connect with volunteers and feel a part of the community.
The HARCATUS Training & Employment Division provides employment services for young adults who are eligible for self-sufficiency. This advice is for people who live in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
Clients receive help and guidance in areas such as interview skills, work experience, job readiness or placement, and more. The HARCATUS Center is a Tuscarawas County-run facility that helps residents in need. It is located on Grant Street in Dennison, Ohio, and can be reached by calling 740-922-1083.
The agency also provides Head Start services to low-income children in Harrison, Carroll, and Tuscarawas counties. These services include developmental and supportive services to help children succeed. There is help available for families with children who are preschool age.
Apply for assistance
To get more information, you can call the center at 740-922-0933. The primary location is 220 Grant St., Dennison, Ohio 44621.