Kootasca Community Action Inc

Asset Development and Housing: The goal is to build community and organizational capacity allowing all Low to Moderate Income (LMI) households the opportunity for safe affordable housing and increased development of assets. The accomplishments of this strategy for 2023 are as follows:1) The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides primary heat funding to reduce energy burden for LMI households through direct payments to energy vendors. As an assistance program, the payments are made to help keep the households heat on and are targeted to those vendors essential to maintaining the households primary heat source. A crisis component of the program makes additional Crisis funding available to prevent utility disconnections or disruptions in service for delivered heating fuels. An Energy Related Repair (ERR) component of the program provides emergency repair or replacement of non-functioning primary heat sources in emergency (no heat) situations or where health and safety hazards exist. In Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024, 3071 households experienced reduced energy burden and safe continuous heat through primary heat funding, 1205 households avoided interruptions in service through crisis funding, and 195 households maintained safe heat through ERR emergency furnace services.2) The federal Department of Energy Weatherization Program (DOE WAP) provides funding to reduce energy burden for LMI households through building shell and mechanical system energy conservation upgrades. Insulation, air infiltration reduction, heating source(s), base loads, and indoor air quality are all addressed through a comprehensive energy audit process. The program also provides client education for low- or no-cost energy savings measures and occupant behaviors. LIHEAP Weatherization and utility based funds are often braided with DOE WAP and occasionally used independently of DOE WAP allowing for additional unit completions. At the time of this report within the State Fiscal Year of 2024, a reduced energy burden has been realized for: 14 households utilizing DOE with LIHEAP, and an additional 2 households utilizing LIHEAP only.3) The 2022 Weatherization Assistance Program Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides us additional funding (DOE BIL), which moved into the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) at the federal level in March 2025, through the Department of Energy to serve additional LMI households in reducing their energy burden through building shell and mechanical system energy conservation upgrades. Insulation, air infiltration reduction, heating source(s), base loads, and indoor air quality are all addressed through a comprehensive energy audit process. The program also provides client education for low- or no-cost energy savings measures and occupant behaviors. LIHEAP Weatherization funds are often braided with DOE BIL funds. At the time of this report within the State Fiscal Year of 2024, a reduced energy burden has been realized for: 14 households utilizing DOE BIL with LIHEAP. 4) KCA provides education-all the ABCs in navigating the journey and open pathways. KCA specializes and personalizes through housing counseling promoting successful homeownership with an emphasis on serving those facing the greatest barriers to achieving itIn todays housing arena, the problem for LMI households is housing insecurity. Conversely, housing security is the single greatest factor in improving health, safety, education, and economic potential for both individuals and communities. We know homeownership is one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth and financial security.Homeonwership presents a significant opportunity for low income households to build long term assets and wealth. The average net worth of homeowners in our country is more han 80 times that of renters. We see growing awareness that housing health and equity go hand n' hand. We strengthen households through our services to be more informed by dismissing myths and misinformation. We educate buyers and increase their ability to be empowered and competitive in the current housing arena. Safe, stable, and affordable housing is the foundation for health, education,and economic opportunity.A combination of Federal, State, and local funding sources is leveraged to provide education, pre purchase counseling, financial wellness and direct assistance. The accomplishments and outcomes of KOOTASCAs Home Ownership program for 2024 are as follows: who are buyers are -we are seeing more single households purchase than ever before. The majority of buyers are above the 50% income level, race is white, live in rural areas, and English speaking, Provided 11 home buyer educational workshops graduating 100 households, counseled 175 new households and 32 households bought their first home. KCA placed three First-Generation buyers into their new home with special funding available here in MN.Our homebuyer program is not only helping households meet their goals, but homeowners are also building a stronger foundation for long-term growth, and strengthening our communities.5) KOOTASCAs Crisis Housing services include the Transitional Housing program and Crisis Rent Assistance program. The Transitional Housing program serves homeless clients with time-limited housing, case management services, and assistance with building skills for self-sufficiency. This program consists of two separate duplex locations dedicated to families and one location dedicated to male housing. Transitional Housing program funds are provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration (HHSSA). The Crisis Rent Assistance program provides financial assistance for unhoused or at-risk families and individuals to obtain or maintain rental housing. Minnesota Housing and the Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration provide funding for this program to assist Itasca and Koochiching County clients. Minnesota DHS and the Department of Housing and Urban Development provide funding for assisting unhoused households navigate a path to obtaining a safe and affordable rental unit.In fiscal year 2024, the Transitional Housing program served 8 single men, and 4 adult families with children households that included 6 adults and 7 children for a total of 21 enrolled participants. 67 un-housed households were moved into permanent housing and homelessness was prevented for an additional 110 households. The total number of households served was 189.6) Through the MNsure program, KOOTASCAs trained and certified Health Care Navigators assist clients in navigating health care insurance options. Funding for this program is made available through MNsure, Minnesotas health insurance marketplace. In 2024, KOOTASCAs MNsure program successfully navigated health insurance option for 84 clients and assisted an additional 354 individuals with health care eligibility questions.7) In 2024, KOOTASCA helped 10 households attain housing stability through S.O.A.R (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery program). 8) During 2024, With KOOTASCAs Community Living Infrastructure navigation program housing navigators assisted 255 households with applications, referrals, and support services funded through the Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration through MN DHS. With KOOTASCAs HUD Unsheltered program housing navigators assisted 1 Itasca County household with housing supportive services funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.The continued goal is to build community and organizational capacity allowing all Low to Moderate-Income (LMI households the opportunity for safe affordable housing and increased development of assets. KOOTASCAs Crisis Housing services include the Transitional Housing program and Crisis Rent Assistance program. The Transitional Housing program serves homeless clients with time-limited housing, case management services, and assistance with building skills for self-sufficiency. This program consists of two separate duplex locations dedicated to families and one location dedicated to male housing. Transitional Housing program funds are provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration (HHSSA). The Crisis Rent Assistance program provides financial assistance for unhoused or at-risk families and individuals to obtain or maintain rental housing. Minnesota Housing and the Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration provide funding for this program to assist Itasca and Koochiching County clients. Minnesota DHS and the Department of Housing and Urban Development provide funding for assisting unhous9)Through Housing Development, KOOTASA directly develops and supports communities to develop high-quality affordable housing for very low and moderate-income people and community members in rural northeastern Minnesota, an

Community Engagement: KOOTASCA Community Action engages community partners to advocate for and collaborate on community strategies to fulfill our mission to end poverty. The agency's community engagement strategy includes the following programs.1) KOOTASCAs Circles of Support program provides an opportunity for people in poverty to build social assets and skills and self-empowerment through weekly and monthly meetings for individuals experiencing poverty, as well as non-poor volunteers. In 2024, a total of 204 people participated in 108 meetings and events.2) Big View programming provides education and creates community awareness of poverty-related issues and systemic barriers that make leaving poverty more difficult. In 2024, 383 individuals attended Big View programming across 18 separate events.