OUR MISSION

It is the commitment of the Community Services Department to assist and advocate for communities and individuals working toward an improved quality of life. To meet this mission NMCAA staff delivers the following federal, state and local funded programs, in coordination with other services offered in each community. 

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION EDUCATION and COUNSELING

The foreclosure prevention counselors at NMCAA are certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

The counselors at NMCAA can:

• Educate and help clients understand the foreclosure process.
• Look at a family or individual's personal financial situation and budget to determine possible options that may lower monthly house payments.
• Help open up communication with a client's mortgage company.
• Assist clients while working with their mortgage company's loss mitigation department.
• Help families and individuals develop a plan to overcome and resolve their housing crisis.
• Refer clients to other services the agency offers to help them through hard financial times.

Call (800) 632-7334 to enroll in Foreclosure education.

HOMEBUYER PURCHASE REHABILITATION PROGRAM

The Homebuyer Purchase Rehabilitation (HPR) program helps low to moderate income individuals and families purchase an existing home.  Buyers are assisted with down payment assistance and funds for major repairs.  NMCAA acts as the coordinator providing guidance and stewardship of the entire process. 

In August of 2010, Jennifer Eising was able to achieve one of her lifetime dreams of owning a home.  Read her Success Story.

Eligible homebuyers may be able to receive up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance at the closing of the home purchase, as well as up to $20,000 for rehabilitation costs.  The funding is loaned out in the form of a 0% interest silent second mortgage that is forgiven over 10 years of residence in the home purchased.

You may be eligible for the HPR Program if:

• Your household meets income and assets limits.
• You are purchasing a home within the cities of Cadillac or Lake City; and that home meets program requirements.
• You are able to contribute at least 1% of the purchase price from your own funds.
• You qualify for a fixed, competitive rate mortgage.
• You complete Homebuyer Education workshops.

For more information or to complete an eligibility pre-screen over the phone, contact the Housing Department in Cadillac at (800) 443-2297.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES

• INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS (IDAs): The IDA Program was established to help limited income families build financial assets. Qualifying participants can open an IDA account, and every $1 they save will be matched with $2 or $3, to go toward the purchase of an asset (home, business, or post-secondary education).
• BUDGET COUNSELING: FMS staff offers Financial Management workshops and individual counseling which help participants learn basic household budgeting, debt management, and credit repair with follow-up assistance.
• HOME-OWNERSHIP COUNSELING: FMS provides pre-purchase classes for those interested in buying a home, home purchase education, and counseling for home retention.
• Click here to view our calendar for FREE Financial Fitness Workshops and Homebuyer Education workshops.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Emergency assistance is provided to low-income individuals and families for housing/shelter, heat, utilities, household contents, medication etc., as funds are available.

NORTHWEST FOOD COALITION, a community partnership, is a group of members from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties; the Michigan State University Extionsion Food and Nutrition Program; and Telemon.  Our mission is to meet the hunger needs of residents in our five county area while continuing to address the greater issues of poverty.  Click here to read more. 

INFORMATION & REFERRAL

Information is given to guide individuals to appropriate services within the community, including follow-up and advocacy as needed.

GIFT OF WARMTH

NMCAA hosts an annual Gift of Warmth fundraiser. This event raises local awareness and funds to help residents with heat related emergencies.

We would like to introduce our very own NMCAA's 2011 Gift of Warmth Gala Recipe Cookbook.  All 194 recipes included in this book came from the family of NMCAA.  The 2011 Gift of Warth Gala Recipe Book is available at our Cadillac, Petoskey, and Traverse City offices and can be purchased for only $10 per book.  Click here for flyer.

All proceeds from the sale of these cookbooks will go to the Gift of Warmth Fund.

FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS

• CSFP or The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is a USDA program that targets nutritionally at risk mothers, infants, children and senior citizens. A monthly food package ensures a nutritionally balanced diet.
• TEFAP or The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides USDA food to low income households through a quarterly distribution.

• Homeowners: counseling and a one time cash assistance, when available, can be provided to homeowners to prevent mortgage foreclosure.
• Home Repair and Replacement: Programs aimed at low-mod income homeowners in Benzie, Missaukee and Wexford Counties are administered. Information and referral can be given on similar programs in other counties.
• Renters: Guidance and onetime cash assistance can be offered to renters facing eviction. Guidance is also available for landlord tenant disputes.
• Homeless and Potential Renters: Staff provide guidance and one-time cash assistance, when available, to help establish permanent housing for those without a home. Counselors can provide information packets on low-income rental housing, landlords, and budget analysis for individuals seeking a place to rent.
• Housing Development: NMCAA works within partner communities to develop new housing opportunities for renters and homebuyers.
• Weatherization: Provides free energy conservation measures to assist low income homeowners and renters in reducing their home heating costs.

PAYING IT FORWARD-TIMEBANK

Mission:  To build a stronger community by empowering neighbors to support one another... Every person has value!

TimeBank members get community news, list the services they wish to exchange, and log the hours they spend helping and being helped by neighbors.  Neighbors helping neighbors is as old as our species, yet in the hustle and bustle of modern life we are losing touch with the pleasures of being in a community.

Currently membership is free for residence of the Greater Grand Traverse area.  This includes Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford counties.

To join Paying it Forward-TimeBank, please click here.  Existing members may click here to sign in.