Building Bridges out of Poverty for Over 50 Years
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
12 SERVICES CENTERS�Serving the Top 26 Counties of Texas��BOARD OF DIRECTORS �Are from across this entire area as well. ��Tripartite Board made up of �Private Sector �Public Sector and �Low-Income Participants �
“Life took some unexpected turns. We had to pick ourselves back up again and start from scratch. Thanks to help like rent assistance from PCS, I was able to choose a path of self-improvement. Now I am working hard to earn my college education and make a better life for my kids.” - T
Programs of PCS include HUD Housing Assistance. ��In 2023 we were able to issue 1,709 housing vouchers for rent assistance. We also have vouchers that are specific to youth aging out of foster care. ��Participants can participate in our Family Development program. This program recognizes that multiple services over an extended period of time are needed to walk someone out of poverty. ��Investments are made to eliminate obstacles to stability.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE ��We provided utility assistance to 6,620 families last year.��Over $4 million in support.
Energy Conserving updates provide relief from extreme energy bills. ��Our Weatherization Department updated 82 homes with things like insulation, doors, windows, updated appliances, and more.
Curb to Curb Pick up and Drop off �in 2022 | 159,455 passenger trips were made. ��These included trips to the grocery store, to work, and back and forth from Amarillo to medical visits. ��
Veteran Assistance may include the following:�Rent & Mortgage Assistance�Transportation Assistance �Restorative Dental help �Funeral Costs �Cell Phone �Internet�Utilities
�Restoration may include roofs, electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, and more. �The grant also helps modify bathrooms and add ramps and grab bars for accessibility for the elderly and handicapped
Rural Set-Aside Funds through HUD. �
Through this program, HUD will award funding to communities to implement coordinated approaches -- grounded in Housing First and public health principles -- to reduce the prevalence of unsheltered homelessness and improve services engagement, health outcomes, and housing stability among highly vulnerable unsheltered individuals and families. HUD expects applicant communities to partner with health and housing agencies to leverage mainstream housing and healthcare resources.
Our Health Navigators can help families find affordable insurance through the market place. Nine times out of ten the cost is less than $10 a month through tax credits at the end of the year. ��We can also help families get signed up for Medicaid and CHIP.
Applicants must be 200% of US Poverty Guidelines. ��Opportunities are available for those with disabilities ��Also, coaches have resources for those who are difficult to employ due to criminal history.
We can go back three years to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. ��
We have VITA trained volunteers who can help families get their full refund for free. ��