Northeast Kansas Community Action Program

Nek-cap, inc. Functions as the authorized public housing authority (pha) on behalf of brown county governmental unit. As the pha, nek-cap, inc. Housing choice voucher program that assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled with affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Eligible participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and are not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. A housing subsidy is paid by nek-cap, inc. Directly to the landlords for the benefit of the eligible participants, who then pay the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the subsidy payment provided by the housing choice voucher program. The hcv program assists an average of 150 customers each month of which 48% are elderly, 26% disabled, 21% families, 5% single and of the families and singles 16% are employed. A unique feature of this program is the family self-sufficiency (fss) program that encourages participants to become more self-reliant. Under this program, enrolled, eligibile hcv participants can work with the fss coordinator to set goals in education, financial literacy, and increase employment goals. The final goals set by hud are to reduce reliance upon state programs increasing self-sufficiency. During this five-year, voluntary program, participants can accumulate rent savings by increasing their portions of rent through increased earned job income, thereby reducing the subsidy paid by the program. These savings accumulate for the benefit of the participant and are paid to the participant with interest upon successful completion of the program period. There is an average of 25 participants in this program. Another feature is the hcv homeownership program that eligible participants can recieve a monthly subsidy toward the mortgage payment. There is 1 participant in this program. Nek-cap, inc. Also administers the tenant-based rental assistance program (tbra), providing an average of 10 families each month with rental assistance. This grant also provides security deposit and utility deposit assistance.

The community services block grant (csbg) funds provided by the kansas housing resources corporation is the foundational funding for nek-cap, inc. In its sixteen-county service area of atchison, brown, doniphan, jackson, jefferson, jewell, leavenworth, marshall, mitchell, nemaha, osborne, pottawatomie, republic, riley, smith, and washington counties. These funds are utilized to empower individuals and families by providing family development advocacy (case management), parenting skills classes, nutrition education, and life skills training. Through family development advocacy, eligible clients benefit through assessments using the family development partnership scale in determining where clients are on the continuum of crisis to thriving in areas such as: education, employment, housing and community, transportation, services and resources, family relations, family finances, child care and parenting. After the assessment process is completed, families are supported at varying levels with specific services, either directly provided or through referrals with appropriate agencies and organizations with whom nek-cap, inc. Has developed working partnerships. Csbg funds have enabled nek-cap, inc. To secure other resources and funding such as: grants from united way chapters: salvation army; emergency solutions grant (esg) and continuum of care (coc) grants through hud; catholic charities; partnerhsip with local food banks; and other sources that make it possible to provide emergency assistance including rent and utility support, prescription assistance, small repairs, and identification documents such id's or birth certificates. Nek-cap, inc.'s csbg program "filling the gap" program provides shelf-stable meals and milk to low-income children for 10 weeks during the summer and over the winter school break (depending on funding availability) in the kansas counties of jewell, mitchell, osborne, republic, smith, and washington. In addition, nek-cap, inc.'s csbg program supports several of the agency housing programs, including the mckinney-vento homeless programs esg and coc, and provides the required match component. Csbg supports esg & coc by funding the housing family advocate positions who work directly with clients and provide family development advocacy.

The weatherization funds provided by the kansas housing resources corporation is a critical component of nek-cap, inc.'s effort to serve low-income individuals and families in its eight-county weatherization service area: nemaha, brown, doniphan, atchison, leavenworth, jefferson, jackson, and shawnee counties. These funds allow nek-cap, inc. To provide no-cost weatherization services that improve energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and enhance health and safety in income-eligible homes. This assists clients in becoming more self sufficient.the weatherization program addresses energy loss and safety issues through measures such as insulation installation, air sealing, energy-efficient lighting, heating system repair or replacement, and ventilation improvements. Certified technicians' complete comprehensive energy audits to determine which improvements will have the greatest impact. Services prioritize households with seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children.nek-cap, inc. Receives training and technical assistance (t&ta) funds to ensure staff maintain certifications and are equipped with up-to-date knowledge of energy-efficient technologies and safety standards. These funds support continuous improvement in program quality and compliance.the agency also utilizes readiness funds that address conditions that would otherwise result in a home being deferred from service. Readiness activities include remediation of issues such as suspected microbial growth, water intrusion or damage, certain structural deficiencies, and pest infestations. These efforts help make homes eligible for weatherization services that might otherwise be out of reach and improves the community housing base.nek-cap, inc.'s weatherization program is delivered in collaboration and partnership with local partners, the department of energy, department of health and human services, kansas state agencies, and utility providers to maximize impact. The result is a safer, more energy-efficient housing stock that promotes stability, improved self sufficiency, and improves quality of life for low-income families.