This is a very interesting article about the rising gas prices and our lack of foresight to prevent it.  It’s hard not to point fingers when we all be being affected, but maybe we all need to take some ownership in this.

$4 Gas: It’s Our Fault

The 1970s Energy Crisis Shocked Us Into Action; Then We Resumed Bad Habits

Article by Kevin Cederstrom in the 5/15/08 New York Mills Herald

Families unable to purchase a home through traditional mortgage financing may have another option. Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council offers a program to sell refurbished homes to low-income families on a no interest, no down payment contract for deed at zero percent interest for 30 years.

Community Action is currently renovating a home in New York Mills and is accepting applications for purchase of the 3-bedroom house, located at 550 Gilman Street on the east side of town. An open house is scheduled for May 15, 5-7 p.m. For more information on the application process contact Diane Leaders at Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council, 385-2900, ext. 136.

Under the Minnesota Urban and Rural Homesteading (MURL) program, Community Action purchases and rehabilitates homes, and sells to qualifying families in Otter Tail and Wadena Counties. Eligible buyers are required to pay 25 percent of their adjusted gross monthly income for the house payment. Through the program, CAC has sold four houses - three in New York Mills and one in Wadena County. The majority of the renovation is being done by Community Action’s weatherization department.

“We’re looking for a family that needs some housing and that would fit well within the community,” Leaders said.

For this particular 3-bedroom house Leaders said, they are looking for a family that fits well with the community, has kids, and would utilize the large back yard to garden. The purchase program is intended for people who have good jobs but have experienced credit problems or have lost a home previously through bankruptcy, and are working their way back financially to home ownership.

The buyer must meet these criteria:

- Cannot have owned a home in the previous three years.

- The family income cannot exceed 60 percent of Otter Tail and Wadena Counties’ median income, which is $34,020 gross annual income for a family of four.

- 25 percent of household monthly adjusted gross income must be sufficient to cover the monthly payment required for principal, taxes and insurance.

- Must complete Home Stretch (home buying education) and Financial Literacy classes.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the following:

- The applicant is currently living in substandard housing.

- The applicant is homeless

- The applicant is living in overcrowded conditions

- The applicant does not qualify for a conventional loan due to inability to provide a down payment, excess debt to income ratio, lack of income or poor credit history.

Homebuyer Requirements

- must be first time homebuyers

- must be homeless, receiving public assistance or unable to qualify for traditional mortgage financing

- must qualify as low income household at time of purchase. “Low income” shall be defined as 60 percent of the area median income

- must occupy the eligible property as a principal residence.

Once the home is sold the purchasing family must recertify by income each year, meaning if their income goes up or down the payment goes up or down accordingly. CAC has advertised for applications the last two weeks. If a suitable family isn’t found to purchase the house CAC will open the application process again.

Minnesota Urban and Rural Homesteading (MURL) is a state-funded program which provides homeownership opportunities to homebuyers who will assist in stabilizing declining neighborhoods. The MURL Program is designed to arrest or prevent the spread of blight through the preservation of existing, dilapidated single family housing by promoting a financing mechanism to acquire and rehabilitate such housing. Homes are sold to At-Risk homebuyers, who agree to follow a “good neighbor” policy, via an interest free Contract for Deed.

Thanks to Kevin Cederstrom for submitting this information.

The Community Garden project continues to move forward. The City Council approved the land-use request on Tuesday, giving the go-ahead to proceed with the project. With the approval the group now needs to produce a waiver form get a rider on the city’s insurance.

If and when the snow clears and digging begins, we will find out exactly what kind of soil we are dealing with. The plan is to till up a 100-foot by 50-foot area. Depending on what we find when we break ground black dirt will be hauled in to establish a good working soil.

A water delivery system will need to be established and possibly install a fence to keep the critters out.

In addition, the plan calls for a shared tomato and squash plot, children’s garden, herb garden and small storage shed. There will be no cost to individuals for the plot, seed or starter plants, as long as they are within a pre-determined seed list.

We’ll get word out soon to find interested growers and get them signed up for 10-foot by 10-foot individual plots. Signed agreements will be required committing to shared maintenance, involvement in classes, rules and regulations and initial garden preparation.

The UofM Extension website has a series of interesting articles called “Getting Through Tough Times”.  Please click this link to find all of the articles:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/MoneyEveryDay/toughtimes.html

Being a person who helps people find information for a living (I’m a librarian), I found the following article especially interesting:

Community Agencies That Can Help

Several agencies in your community can be a source of help during tough times. This fact sheet describes many of these agencies and includes contact information.

Unemployment Compensation and Job Service Offices

While you were employed, your employer was probably contributing to the unemployment compensation program on your behalf. If there is a chance you’re eligible for unemployment compensation, you can apply at your nearest Minnesota WorkForce Center, over the phone, and online. Their website can provide you with locations, phone numbers, and applications. You will need to be able to list all the employers you have worked for during the last 18 months including their phone numbers and addresses. You will also need to take your Social Security card. At the claims counter, you will receive help on how to file an initial claim. Expect to wait at least three weeks before receiving your first check. The payments are calculated from the first day you file, so filing promptly is to your advantage. However, there is a mandated waiting period of a week for first-time claims. You may be eligible for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) under the following circumstances:

• There is a delay between when you apply and the time your unemployment checks begin arriving.
• You are ineligible for unemployment benefits.
• Your benefits have run out.

TANF in Minnesota is known as the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).The Minnesota WorkForce Centerprovides listings of available jobs. They also provide information on the training and experience needed for different jobs. They can help you to determine the skills and aptitudes needed to succeed at the job of your choice.

Employment Training

Learning new marketable skills may be your answer for increased income. Courses are available through local community colleges and other state and local institutions. Displaced Homemaker programs are designed to prepare former full-time homemakers for employment. Local community colleges have more information on these programs. Some assistance for childcare and transportation costs may be available.The federal government provides grants, work opportunities and low-interest loans to many students for education or training. The State of Minnesota also provides some financial assistance to eligible students. The financial aid office at each school or college can give you more information.

Workforce Investment Act

If you need help finding a job or getting training or work experience, a job-training program may be able to help you. The Workforce Investment Act provides Minnesotans with assistance in finding a job and obtaining training.

Human and Social Service

Your County Department of Human Services may provide financial assistance and services as well as information on other community resources. Several assistance programs, such as Food Stamps, Medical Assistance, and MFIP are coordinated through the Department of Human Services. Your financial resources and family income are used to determine if you are eligible. While they process your application, your county Department of Human Services may refer you to other agencies for immediate help. In some counties you may be referred to a township official for general assistance.

Fuel Costs

Help with fuel costs may be available through the Energy Assistance project in your county. Contact your County Department of Human Services and local utility companies for information on how to apply.

Health Services

The county Department of Health provides information on free or low-cost preventive health services, such as blood pressure checks and other screening programs. Flu shots and other immunizations may also be available at a minimal cost. Other health services vary from community to community. Your county or area Department of Health can tell you what is available. There may be clinics, health fairs and other services available free of charge or at a minimal cost.Your preschool-aged children may be eligible for additional health services through other programs. The Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Head Start Project are two federal programs that closely monitor the health of eligible children. Visit the Minnesota’s Department of Health web site for more information.

Food

Emergency food supplies may be available at local food pantries. Some churches and community agencies provide free or low-cost meals. Your children may be eligible for reduced-price or free school lunches. Some schools also provide breakfasts. Contact the school office.If you have children under age five, you may be eligible for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program. This federal program provides nutrition counseling and food vouchers to parenting, pregnant and breast-feeding women with children under five.

Clothing

Local thrift shops and garage sales are sources of low-cost clothing. Recycling clothing may be another option for your family.

Veterans’ Benefits

Veterans of U.S. military service and their dependents may be entitled to a variety of benefits from the federal government and the State of Minnesota including:

• Monthly pensions to surviving spouses and to dependent children of veterans who have died
• Monthly payments and/or tuition and books while attending school, receiving training or completing apprenticeships
• “Veterans’ points” added to examination scores when applying to enter state service and various special employment

Family Counseling Services

Getting through tough times can be stressful for all members of the family. During these periods of high stress, family members may have difficulty coping with day-to-day situations. Sometimes things may get so difficult and out of control that you, or other family members, may need professional help. In every community, resources such as the family doctor, clergy, mental health professionals and support groups exist. They can help you deal with extreme levels of stress and the physical and emotional trauma that often accompany them. The County Mental Health Services/Counseling Services provide services and information on what’s available in your area.Coping with the stress of tough times is discussed in two other fact sheets in this series, Controlling Stress and Helping Children Cope.

Financial Counseling

Managing the money you do have requires careful budgeting. Bank loan officers, utility company consumer service personnel, or mortgage companies can also help with planning for payment of specific debts.

Helpful Internet Resources

Resource Management for Daily Life - Highlights University of Minnesota Extension programs which provide trustworthy financial education for informed financial decisions.

Rural Minnesota Life- Provides information for Minnesotan rural families, including the other 16 Getting Through Tough Times fact sheets.

Community Agencies That Can Help

Employment/Employment Training

• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
• Minnesota Department of Health
• Minnesota WorkForce Center
• Minnesota’s Job Bank
• Minnesota Jobs
• America’s Job Bank
• Jobs Wizard
• Displaced Homemakers Programs
• Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Family/Financial Counseling Services

• Banking/Financial Institutions (local)
• County Mental Health Services (local)
• Minnesota Attorney General Office - 1-800-657-3787
• University of Minnesota Extension
• YMCA - YWCA (local)
• Minnesota Family Investment Program

Fuel/Housing/Clothing

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• Minnesota Energy Assistance Programs
• American Red Cross (local)
• Salvation Army (local)
• Goodwill Industries (local)
• Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
• Department of Housing and Urban Development>

Health/Human/Social Services

• County Department of Health (local)
• Emergency Food Pantries (local)
• Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning
• Minnesota Department of Human Rights
• Minnesota Help
• First Call for Help Minnesota
• Faith/religious communities (local)

I wanted to make sure all of you get a chance to see this blog entry by Lori Rothstein. 

http://minnesota.communityblogs.us/2008/02/23/spotlight-on-poverty/