WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES

The family and community services department operates a variety of programs to serve the low-income, which includes emergency services, homelessness, parenting time and exchange center, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing programs. Number of participants served: emergency housing applications received-716 applications, homeless rental assistance-43 participants, prevention rental assistance-136 participants, emergency shelter program hotel vouchers-119 households, hra cares-2 households, transitional housing-17, house keys-4 households, homework starts at home-4 households, long term homeless-26 households, launch pad-30 households, housing supports-13 households, homeless to housed-14 households, and parenting time & exchanges-887 services provided. Mnsure aplications completed totaled 109.the statewide faim program is a matched savings project that enables mn low-income wage earners to build assets through the purchase of a first home or personal vehicle, pursuit of post-secondary education (self, spouse, tax dependent), the start/expansion of a small business within the state. New pilot tracks added in 2024 include 529 college savings and emergency savings. Current funding for faim is provided by mn department of human services and participating organizations. As the fiscal host, wcmca contracts with 25 agencies across minnesota, primarily community action agencies, to implement the program locally and provide financial coaching to enrollees. Participants make regular deposits from earned income to their faim savings account at bremer bank. Deposits up to $4,000 made during the 24-month savings period are matched at a rate of 3:1 up to a household/dwelling lifetime maximum of $12,000. The minimum enrollment period varies by grant; the maximum enrollment period is 30-months. Faim participants are required to complete 12 hours of financial management training, 10 additional hours of asset-specific training, and any requirements of their chosen asset before payout to a third-party vendor may be requested from the program. Since its beginning, faim participants have opened 6,171 custodial savings accounts; 3,372 have obtained an asset; and 203 are actively working toward saving to obtain an asset in minnesota.the free tax preparation program serves low to middle income households throughout wcmca's five county service area. The program is funded in part by the irs, the minnesota department of revenue, and the otto bremer foundation. The program served 1,261 households this past tax seasonaging well continues to provide programs for adults 60 years and older with additional support to help them remain living in their homes for as long as they choose. Our ready ride volunteer driver program had over 40,000 miles this year. Providing 519 non-emergency medical rides for adults 60 years and older and low-income adults with prime west insurance. An additional 107 rides are provided to adults 60 years and older for trips such as social, educational, or shopping. Our home care and repair program completed 281 chores, and 459 homemaking visits this year for adults 60 years and older. We are continuing to provide evidence based matter of balance classes and have added bingocize as an additional class option for adults 60 years and older. Our in-home modification program has completed 39 home modifications to adults 60 years and older who own their home. These modifications help to make their home safe and help reduce the chances of falling.