Consumer Stimulus at Your Fingertips
- By Carmen Watkins
- Published 05/18/2009
- Economics
- Unrated
Carmen Watkins
Carmen Watkins is president and CEO of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston.
View all articles by Carmen Watkins
There is nothing worse than waiting on a promise. So in this time of economic uncertainty and the wait for a stimulus plan to make it into the neighborhood, there are a number of great Texas programs that just might assist you in making ends meet.
These are not new stimulus programs, they are already in place, just waiting for you to take advantage of them.
Air-Check Texas Program to the
Rescue
If your car is 10 years or older or has failed an emissions test, you could qualify for up to $3,500 for a down payment on a newer car (2006-2009 vehicle). The program is called AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine. This repair and replacement program applies only in participating counties in areas of Texas that have vehicle inspection and maintenance programs.
The assistance program was originally created under the Low Income Vehicle Repair Assistance, Retrofit, and Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (LIRAP) provisions of House Bill 2134, 77th Legislature, 2001, and amended by House Bill 1611 in the 79th Legislature, 2005. Just recently, the Texas program has been featured nationally as an example of a state “Going Green.” If you think you may meet the qualifications or if you are just curious about Texas efforts, you can log onto DRIVEACLEANMACHINE.org or call 1(800)913-3321. In the Houston area, the program is administered through HGAC (Houston Galveston Area Council) (866)237-9392).
Summer Food Program
The State of Texas through the Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will administer the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP.) The program will provide free, nutritious meals and snacks to help children in low-income areas.
Children 18 and younger may receive free meals and snacks. The program is also available to persons with disabilities, over age 18. For more information on starting dates and time call, (703)305-2286 or in Houston call (713)225-7554, or log on to www.snptexas.org
Discovery Camp
(Harris County Precinct One)
Discovery Camp is open to groups of 10 to 12 children from local agencies, schools, churches and community centers. Reservations are required. Each child must have a completed registration form which the director/leader is responsible for collecting and returning to the Discovery Camp. For information and reservations call (281)332-5157. Transportation is available.
Home Repair Assistance &
Weatherization
The state’s home repair assistance programs offer low interest loans or grants to help homeowners repair their houses. Many of the programs are strictly for senior citizens, but not all of the programs are designed the same way. Depending on where you live and other factors, many programs may be available to you. Many of these same providers will also have access to rental assistance or security deposits.
Home Repair Assistance
providers in Harris County
Texas Home of Your Own
AUSTIN
1 - (800) 988-4696
Texas Veteran’s Land Board
AUSTIN
1 - (800) 463-5060
City of Houston Department of Housing
and Community Development
HOUSTON
(713)868-8300
Harris County Area Agency on Aging HOUSTON
(713)794-9001
Harris County Community and Economic Development Department
HOUSTON
(713) 578-2000
Sheltering Arms, Inc.
HOUSTON
(713) 956-1888
Huntsville Rural Development Local Office HUNTSVILLE
(936) 291-1901
City of Pasadena Community
Development Department
PASADENA
(713)475-7243
Department of Veteran Affairs
WASHINGTON
(800) 827-1000
FannieMae
WASHINGTON
(800) 732-6643
These are not new stimulus programs, they are already in place, just waiting for you to take advantage of them.
Air-Check Texas Program to the
Rescue
If your car is 10 years or older or has failed an emissions test, you could qualify for up to $3,500 for a down payment on a newer car (2006-2009 vehicle). The program is called AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine. This repair and replacement program applies only in participating counties in areas of Texas that have vehicle inspection and maintenance programs.
The assistance program was originally created under the Low Income Vehicle Repair Assistance, Retrofit, and Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (LIRAP) provisions of House Bill 2134, 77th Legislature, 2001, and amended by House Bill 1611 in the 79th Legislature, 2005. Just recently, the Texas program has been featured nationally as an example of a state “Going Green.” If you think you may meet the qualifications or if you are just curious about Texas efforts, you can log onto DRIVEACLEANMACHINE.org or call 1(800)913-3321. In the Houston area, the program is administered through HGAC (Houston Galveston Area Council) (866)237-9392).
Summer Food Program
The State of Texas through the Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will administer the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP.) The program will provide free, nutritious meals and snacks to help children in low-income areas.
Children 18 and younger may receive free meals and snacks. The program is also available to persons with disabilities, over age 18. For more information on starting dates and time call, (703)305-2286 or in Houston call (713)225-7554, or log on to www.snptexas.org
Discovery Camp
(Harris County Precinct One)
Discovery Camp is open to groups of 10 to 12 children from local agencies, schools, churches and community centers. Reservations are required. Each child must have a completed registration form which the director/leader is responsible for collecting and returning to the Discovery Camp. For information and reservations call (281)332-5157. Transportation is available.
Home Repair Assistance &
Weatherization
The state’s home repair assistance programs offer low interest loans or grants to help homeowners repair their houses. Many of the programs are strictly for senior citizens, but not all of the programs are designed the same way. Depending on where you live and other factors, many programs may be available to you. Many of these same providers will also have access to rental assistance or security deposits.
Home Repair Assistance
providers in Harris County
Texas Home of Your Own
AUSTIN
1 - (800) 988-4696
Texas Veteran’s Land Board
AUSTIN
1 - (800) 463-5060
City of Houston Department of Housing
and Community Development
HOUSTON
(713)868-8300
Harris County Area Agency on Aging HOUSTON
(713)794-9001
Harris County Community and Economic Development Department
HOUSTON
(713) 578-2000
Sheltering Arms, Inc.
HOUSTON
(713) 956-1888
Huntsville Rural Development Local Office HUNTSVILLE
(936) 291-1901
City of Pasadena Community
Development Department
PASADENA
(713)475-7243
Department of Veteran Affairs
WASHINGTON
(800) 827-1000
FannieMae
WASHINGTON
(800) 732-6643