Reducing the amount of energy used in our businesses and households benefits all of Michigan. Community Action Agencies energy services increase home values, put local contractors to work and reduce household utility expenses. Our partnerships with utility companies and our agency’s own fundraising events stretch public dollars even further.
CAAC supports:
Preserving and promoting energy efficiency and home weatherization measures to lower the energy burden for low-income families and to increase conservation.
Expanding energy efficiency programs for utilities that choose not to operate low-income energy programs on their own.
Continuing the annual state appropriation of Federal LIHEAP funds for Weatherization efforts.
While our agency does not directly administer SNAP or Medicaid, these vital programs play a crucial role in the lives of many of the individuals and families we serve. Access to food assistance and healthcare ensures greater stability and well-being, helping clients meet their basic needs and focus on long-term goals like employment, education, and housing. In fact, eligibility for SNAP or Medicaid often qualifies clients for additional support through our services, creating a stronger safety net. Protecting and expanding these programs is essential—not only for those who rely on them directly but also for the effectiveness of community-based programs like ours.
When properly nourished, children learn and retain information better and adults are healthier, more positive and more resilient. Community Action Agencies in Michigan feed thousands of people every year through a wide variety of food-related services, including food pantries, Meals on Wheels, and congregate meals for seniors.
CAAC supports:
Securing more Commodity Supplement Food Program slots for Community Action Agencies as allocated by the Michigan Department of Education.
Expanding The Emergency Food Assistance Program’s (TEFAP) administrative funding to include costs of distributing “bonus” items.
Senior Programs
Community Action Agencies in Michigan provide a wide range of services to assist older residents with tools to maintain self-sufficiency through their later years. CAAC supports the Silver Key Coalition’s efforts to increase state funding for in-home services that assist individuals and family caregivers in managing and/or performing necessary activities of daily living, including personal care, homemaking, chore assistance, home-delivered meals, minor home repairs and other needed services.
Veterans Services
Michigan veterans are at risk for homelessness, unemployment and physical and mental disabilities. Treating those who served our country with respect and value is of the utmost importance. CAAC supports the expansion of available veterans programs such as Supportive Services for Veteran Families.
Housing Services
Michigan’s low-income families deserve decent, safe and affordable housing; and many Community Action Agencies offer programs that assist them in achieving homeownership while protecting those facing foreclosure and homelessness. Cultivating responsible homeownership and rentals is essential to growing our state’s economy.
CAAC supports enhancing policies that can help prevent homelessness and provide homebuyer education and mortgage counseling. Furthermore, we support state housing policies that foster the development of thriving communities for children, parents and seniors.
As Congress works to pass the president’s Build Back Better plan, it is critical that the Child Tax Credit be permanently extended so millions of children, especially children of color, can be lifted out of poverty. The CTC is one of the most effective anti-poverty programs this generation has ever seen — significantly reducing food insecurity and financial hardship for struggling American families. Failure to extend the CTC could double child poverty, increase childhood hunger and make it more difficult for working families to afford child care, school supplies and more.
CAAC supports:
Permanent extension of the Child Tax Credit.
Financial Independence
A dollar saved is a dollar earned. Community Action Agencies encourage financial independence by helping low-income Michiganders take ownership of their finances and household budgets.
CAAC supports:
Expansion of national financial literacy programs.
Returning the state Earned Income Tax Credit to 20% of the federal EITC.
Expanding funding for and access to Individual Development Accounts.
Funding for tax preparation services for low-income residents.
Protecting consumers against predatory lending tactics.
Full Participation in the Community and the Economy
Empowering people to participate in the community and in economic opportunities requires access to services like the internet and the ability to prove residency and citizenship. Seeking work, attending school and finding a place live all require identification and, increasingly, access to the internet.
CAAC supports:
Expanded wireless and broadband access in underserved communities.
Increased services to assist all citizens seeking identification documents (state ID, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, etc.).
Make Your Voice Heard
Visit the Michigan Community Actionwebsite for additional important issues that need your action.
More county information can be found at the Allegan County website.
