SPONSORED CONTENT: Wayne Metro Provides Needs-Driven, Holistic Assistance to Individuals and Families.
By the Yemeni American News
Detroit, Mich. – With the pandemic hurting so many people, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency has established a number of programs designed to alleviate financial insecurity for people in need throughout Metro Detroit.
The programs are designed to provide assistance with common financial obligations, like rent and utilities, as well as provide another opportunity to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Programs can also pay for repairs that can have a lasting effect on saving money for clients of WMCAA.
Wayne Metro has built trust over their years of service by creating solutions-oriented programming and continuing to follow through for their clients. As a result of the pandemic, Wayne Metro has been able to expand its programming in order to address financial insecurity brought on by the Pandemic’s unpredictable impact on households’ income.
Below is just a small list of programs that have been built around the needs of community members in Metro Detroit.
COVID Emergency Rental Assistance
For people who have found themselves behind on rent or utilities, WMCAA can provide assistance for eligible renters in Wayne County.
The program can provide up to 12 months of back rent assistance, along with three months of forward rent for the lowest income renters. Applicants would need to show a State ID or Passport, income documentation, their past-due rent notice or utility bills, and proof of hardship because of COVID-19.
Typical hardships that can be shown for the application include an extended period of unemployment, at least a 10% reduction of income, incurring significant costs (over $500) after Mar. 13 of last year.
For a complete list of hardships, go to waynemetro.org/cera/
The CERA program is in partnership with Lakeshore Legal Aid, the Heat and Warmth Fund, United Community Housing Coalition and ACCESS.
Water Residential Assistance Program
The Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) is a two-year program that provides funding to eligible, low-income homeowners to assist with water bills, water conservation, and self-sufficiency initiatives.
This program is available in all Great Lakes Water Authority communities, including Detroit, Hamtramck and Dearborn. It assists in covering the costs of water bills and plumbing repairs, with a limit of $1,000 in assistance per household.
The program requires that participants earn an income at 200% of the federal poverty level or lower, and that the applicant must be responsible for water payments at their property. A shutoff notice is not required, and bills do not have to be past-due in order to participate in this program.
For a complete list of requirements, and access to the application, visit waynemetro.org/wrap/.
The Water Residential Assistance Program is in partnership with the Great Lakes Water Authority.
Home Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. In operation since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program is the largest energy efficiency program in our nation’s history and saves more money than it costs.
Services provided by the Weatherization Assistance Program include wall, attic and foundation insulation, air leakage reduction, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and more. There is no out-of-pocket cost and participants can expect to save up to $450 each year after improvements.
Applicants are encouraged to call the Wayne Metro Connect Center at 313-388-9799 and follow the application process with a Wayne Metro representative. Eligible homeowners will be put on a waiting list before being able to schedule an appointment.
The work of the Weatherization Assistance Program will be completed by a licensed and insured contractor approved by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.
The Weatherization Assistance Program is in partnership with the Downriver Community Coalition.
COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens
The Center for Disease Control now recommends that everyone 12 years and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against contracting and spreading COVID-19. All authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and help protect against severe illness.
“COVID-19 Vaccination provides safe and effective protection against the virus that causes COVID-19,” says Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency. “COVID-19 Vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.”
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency encourages those who haven’t already received their COVID-19 vaccine to work with healthcare providers and other community opportunities to receive the vaccine. A few vaccines will require a follow-up appointment for a second dose of the vaccine.
“Wayne Metro is passionate about the safety and well-being of our Wayne County neighbors. We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their friends and families.”
There is no cost for people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The federal government is providing these vaccines free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status.
