Ability1st, Center for Independent Living of North FL

*Core services for persons with disabilities including independent living skills training, information and referral to other relevant organizations, and peer support including a weekly mental health support group *Durable medical equipment loans such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, shower chairs and disposable medical supplies (incontinence products) for low income persons with disabilities; special funding available for the purchase of equipment for those living with paralysis, there may be a wait list depending on the type of equipment needed *Home Modification Program provides home improvements necessary to eliminate health, safety and architectural barriers including wheelchair ramp construction, halfsteps, handrails, widening doorways and replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower *FTRI Amplified Phones (free) for persons with hearing or speech loss; beginning and intermediate American Sign Language classes open to any adult in the community *Youth Transition: High School High Tech (HSHT) gives youth ages 14-22 with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or post-secondary education leading to technology-related careers; open to youth from Leon, Gadsden or Wakulla counties, activities include career counseling and workshops, industry and campus tours, summer internships, and community service projects *Assistance in applying for social security benefits for persons with dual diagnosis (mental health and/or substance abuse disabilities)

Services: ADA Implementation Assistance, Daily Living Aids, Health/Disability Related Support Groups, Home Barrier Evaluation/Removal Services, Independent Living Skills Instruction, Medical Equipment/Supplies, Mobility Aids, Prosthetic Devices, Youth Employment Programs

Community Action Agency, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

3/4/2024: NO FUNDING AVAILABLE AS OF APRIL 7, 2023 *Program for low income persons or families as home owners and renters who seek to reduce utility bills by improving the energy efficiency of the home by adding weather stripping, caulking, window and door repairs if they cause air to enter the home, wrapping water heaters, installing attic insulation, energy-efficient light bulb and smoke detector installation, repair of heating and cooling units which are not working well, install solar screens; and install ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality (as needed) *Preference given to elderly (60 years or older), disabled persons, families with children under 12 years old and households with repeated high utility bills with priority given based on the amount of need (not a first come, first served program) *Before being accepted, a signed application must be accompanied by proof of current income for all household members, a photo ID of the applicant, documentation of property ownership, signed owner agreement to repair, rental agreement (if applicable), and copy of recent utility bill and other form; after eligibility is determined, an on-site evaluation and diagnostic test is completed including a blower door test for air infiltration, carbon monoxide test, inspection of structural conditions and health & safety inspection; once the diagnostic test evaluation is complete, a work-plan is approved and weatherization services are provided by cost-effective professional *Application for Weatherization assistance can be found on the website, but persons without internet access may call and request an application

Services: Weatherization Programs

FL Cares

*Not for profit who builds ramps, half steps, grab bars, and other accessibility home adaptations for older adults or persons with disabilities to create or improve access to their homes *Uses a sliding scale to determine if the client holds any payment responsibility, but will not let financial issues bar the way for those in need *Funded by churches, agencies and community groups

Services: Daily Living Aids, Home Barrier Evaluation/Removal Services, Mobility Aids

Florida Dept of Health, Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Registry

*Provides eligible Florida residents who sustain a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury the opportunity to obtain the necessary services that will optimize their level of functioning *Case management, rehabilitation, transitional living, assistive technology, mobility aids, daily living aids, home and vehicle modifications, nursing home transition facilitation, long-term supports and resource referral services for those with or affected by brain or spinal cord injuries *Florida Statutes requires that all hospitals, attending physicians, public, private, or social agencies refer all new traumatic moderate-to-severe brain or spinal cord injuries to the Central Registry, anyone who was not referred by a medical professional may self refer by calling into the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program's (BSCIP) Central Registry toll free number or faxing in to the central registry using the form found on the website at http://www.

Services: Brain Injury Assessment, Condition Specific Rehabilitation Services, Daily Living Aids, Home Barrier Evaluation/Removal Services, Mobility Aids, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy

Florida Housing Finance Corporation, SHIP Govt Search

*Provides funds to local governments to preserve affordable home ownership and multifamily housing for very low, low and moderate income families *Searchable website to find Florida local government SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) programs, https://www.

Services: Home Rehabilitation Programs, Subsidized Home Acquisition

Housing, Big Bend, HUD, USDA, State/Other Agencies

*Listings of authorized federal housing agencies that cover the Big Bend; all have separate programs in database with more information *HUD, Apalachicola Housing Authority, Public Housing, 141 15th St, 32320, (850) 653-9304; manages units for qualified persons, families, can give referral for Section 8 housing *HUD, Jacksonville Field Office, 400 W Bay St, Ste 1015, Charles Bennett Federal Building, Jacksonville, 32202; (904) 323-2627; covers N Florida; provides information: 1) purchasing and/or obtaining affordable housing; dealing with discrimination; NO direct assistance; 2), Section 8 rogram, Housing/Supportive Services, 400 W Bay St, Ste 1015, Charles Bennett Federal Building, Jacksonville, 32202, (904) 232-2627; maintains lists of affordable private housing based on income, family composition or specific program requirements *HUD, North Central Florida Regional Housing Authority, (private outsourcing agency) 611 Pine St, Bronson, 32621, (352) 486-5420, manages Wakulla County housing based on family income, composition, other eligibility factors; SSI, disabled, pregnant persons can qualify as family of one HUD, Section 8, Housing/Supportive Services *HUD, Tallahassee Housing Authority, Public Housing & Section 8, 2940 Grady Rd, 32312, (850) 385-6126; 1) maintains low rent housing for persons meeting income requirements for housing complexes or Section 8, (Housing Choice Voucher program) in the private sector; some persons may have priority: pregnant women, families with children, elderly persons or disabled individuals; 2) Family Self-Sufficiency program enrolls families to work on financial education, referrals for services, workshops and support groups, savings account for future use *Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 N Bronough St, Ste 5000, 32301, (850) 488-4197 & (877) 863-5244; funds Elderly Mortgage Assistance Program/Reverse Mortgage, http://www.

Services: Home Rehabilitation Programs, Housing Search Assistance, Low Income/Subsidized Rental Housing, Older Adult/Disability Related Supportive Housing, Rent Payment Assistance, Subsidized Home Acquisition, Transitional Housing/Shelter

Leon County Housing Services

*Most of the funding for this program is provided by the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) *Program is only for persons living outside the city limits in Leon County *Assists residential homeowners with down payment assistance (via community partners), emergency repairs, home rehabilitation, code related improvements or making the home more accessible *Website has lower income housing locator services: http://www.

Services: Home Purchase/Construction Financing/Refinancing, Home Rehabilitation Programs, Housing Search Assistance, Subsidized Home Acquisition

SHIP, Jefferson, Wakulla, & Taylor Programs

*Three programs help increase affordable and safe housing for homeowners in Jefferson, Taylor and Wakulla Counties *First time buyers should first contact a mortgage company to be qualified, then contact Government Services Group to see if a program is open in their county *Demo and Reconstruction assists very low income households whose homes are determined to be more than 51% structurally unsound; damage must not be due to intentional neglect or abuse; program levels qualifying homes and rebuilds them *Down Payment Assistance helps very low to moderate income families in purchasing a home with closing costs and down payment, or with building a new home *Rehabilitation Assistance offers very low to low income families help with repairs: broken windows, deteriorated floors, leaking roofs, etc *Disabled and elderly persons given priority on all programs

Services: Home Purchase/Construction Financing/Refinancing, Home Rehabilitation Programs, Subsidized Home Acquisition

Tallahassee, City CARES Home Repair Program

*Update 10/10/2023: Applications closed; no funding available *Program is only for homeowners who live inside the Tallahassee City Limits *Funded by State CARES Act to stabilize and preserve the homes of residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 *Seeks to to improve the living conditions of households affected by COVID-19 by removing health and safety hazards and/or architectural barriers *Up to $15,000 is available for eligible repairs including but not limited to: *Sewage backup and other plumbing repairs *HVAC repair or replace *Faulty electrical wiring *Roof repair or replace *Broken or leaking windows or screens *Exterior paint deterioration *Dangerous/rotting railings, stairs, landings, or porches *Rotting interior flooring *Accessibility challenges for persons with limited mobility Eligibility: *Applicant must be a homeowner located within the Tallahassee City Limits *Mobile homes are eligible if the unit was manufactured after June 1994 and was installed by a professional/licensed installer *Applicants must prove that they have been impacted COVID-19 since March 2020.

Services: Home Barrier Evaluation/Removal Services, Home Maintenance and Minor Repair Services

Tallahassee Urban League, Inc

*Food pantry 9am-5pm, M-F *Urban Youth Employment Program offers hands-on work experience and access to employers, GED instruction, work and life skills training, additional education and personal development, financial literacy training *Nulites Club provides guidance for youth toward educational programs, community involvement and service, self-esteem building, and leadership training for young people, ages 10-18 *Crime prevention: behavior modification for first time juvenile offenders; gang awareness education; Black on Black Crime Prevention *Housing: major home repairs for homeowners in Leon County (generally repairs that bring the housing up to code standards); counseling on finding low-cost permanent housing; workshops on home buying *Victim and witness advocacy: information on criminal justice system, victim's rights, grief/bereavement counseling and accompaniment services/transportation of victim or witness to court if needed

Services: Adolescent/Youth Counseling, Crime Victim Support, Employment Preparation, Food Pantries, Home Rehabilitation Programs, Housing Search Assistance, Job Finding Assistance, Juvenile Delinquency Prevention, Mentoring Programs, Tutoring Services, Youth Enrichment Programs