Community Action Agency

Ottawa County’s Community Action Agency helps those in the community who qualify under grant guidelines. Whether a home needs weatherization, or a family needs help paying utility bills the Community Action Agency has limited funding to help eligible Ottawa County residents on a first-come first-serve basis.
Emergency Assistance | Food Security | Housing Programs | Self-Sufficiency

Mission Statement: Reducing the effects of poverty in Ottawa County by promoting self-sufficiency and economic independence.

Emergency Assistance
Migrant Emergency Services Financial assistance for migrant families in Ottawa County is available for: food, gasoline, auto repairs and medical assistance. Utility Assistance Emergency funds are available for heat, electric and water to prevent loss of services. Limited annual funds for Ottawa County residents are raised locally and provided by state and federal grants.
Food Security - click here for food delivery schedules
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Funding for this program is provided by the Department of Agriculture. The CSFP is a monthly food distribution program that helps meet the nutritional needs of seniors aged 60+ and those who are ineligible for the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), who are pregnant, breast-feeding or one-year post-partum mothers - and children under age six. Community Garden Network Volunteers, coordinated by CAA, work in specified gardens during the growing and harvesting season. Fresh produce is distributed to low-income seniors and qualified families through the monthly and quarterly food distributions by CAA and other local service organizations. The CGN is a collaboration among CAA, Ottawa County MSU Extension Services, Master Gardeners, Master Composters, Tri-Cities Love, Inc., Community Action House, Georgetown Senior Center and community volunteers. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) This is a quarterly program, the funding for which is provided by the Department of Agriculture. Food is distributed to the general low-income population. Distribution sites are located in Holland, Grand Haven, Coopersville and Hudsonville.
Housing Programs
Click here to see the required documents you'll need to bring with you if you qualify for tax assistance. Click here to see the required documents you'll need to bring with you if you qualify for utilities assistance. Energy Education CAA sponsors a series of workshops which focus on three areas: conservation, pollution reduction and saving money. Participants receive simple and practical tips, including suggestions on simple home repairs they can implement immediately in order to reduce the consumption of utilities. Energy Education participation is a requirement for participation in the Weatherization Program. Home Ownership Services CAA provides counseling in several areas related to life management and home ownership: pre-purchase counseling, credit counseling, and foreclosure prevention. Home Purchase With Rehab (HPR) HPR assists families with the purchase and rehabilitation of a single-family home. Up to $10,000 may be avilable for down-payment, pre-paid expenses, reasonable closing costs, and/or payment to reduce principal. Up to $30,000 is available for rehabilitation costs. Home Rehabilitation This program provides home improvements which meet Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA) Housing Quality Standards (HQS) such as handicap accessibility and other approved repairs. CAA provides home inspections and acts as fiduciary agent (trustee). Homeless Assistance Recovery Program (HARP) HARP is a voucher-based program that services the homeless. Ottawa County residents who qualify and who are given a voucher will pay no more than 30% of their adjusted gross income towards housing. Housing Choice Voucher (formerly Section 8) The Voucher program assists in paying rent and the utilities associated with the applicant’s current residence. Ottawa County residents who qualify are placed on a waiting list to receive a HCV. Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI) Each prisoner is enabled by state and local collaboration in their post-incarceration transition, reintegration and aftercare in the community. Returning prisoners in Ottawa County has access to permanent, safe and affordable housing, or services that help achieve permanent housing. Returning prisoners have access to employment and training services that help secure stable employment. Permanent Supportitive Housing for Persons With Disabilities This program is a collaboration between CAA and Community Mental Health. CAA provides inspections of residences and maintains an inventory of landlords. Project Based Vouchers (PBV) Ottawa County applicants must be disabled and/or homeless to qualify for PBV. An applicant may apply to each of the designated program sites. Applicants will be tied to area service providers. Property Improvement Program (PIP) PIP is a loan administered by a local bank. The loan is repaid monthly by the borrower, but at a much lower interest rate. Tax Preparation Assistance For Ottawa County residents who qualify CAA provides free tax preparation. Qualified applicants are helped on a first-come first-served basis. Click here to see the required documents you'll need to bring with you if you qualify for tax assistance. Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) TBRA is a two-year rental assistance program. To qualify for the program families must be homeless with children. Ottawa County residents who qualify receive case management for two years. Assistance is provided for housing and utilities. Weatherization (WX) The Weatherization program provides free energy-saving measures to eligible households throughout Ottawa County. Requirements include attending a Weatherization Education workshop and qualifying within income guidelines. CAA provides home inspections and determines weatherization tasks. Licensed WX contractors will insulate attic, wall and floor areas, install weather stripping, caulk windows and make minor home repairs related to energy savings. Limited funding is provided both federally and by the state. Click here to see the required documents you'll need to bring with you if you qualify for utilities assistance.
Self-Sufficiency
REACH/Life Skills CAA teaches a curriculum called Living Consciously®. The curriculum is a process that teaches people how to evaluate a situation. The focus is on choices and how to distinguish between constructive and destructive choices. Vehicle Ownership Ottawa County residents are referred to CAA after having applied to the Department of Human Services for vehicle ownership assistance. CAA meets and reviews driving records and determines eligibility. CAA provides vehicle ownership counseling along with other items such as vehicle maintenance and insurance requirements. Applicants are referred to Good Samaritan Ministries where they receive budget counseling.