Bismarck

The Assistive Equipment Program receives donated assistive equipment such as walkers, shower chairs, canes, grab bars, crutches, wheelchairs, etc. These items are available free to anyone who may need them and cannot afford to buy new equipment

Backpacks for Kids was developed in 2006 to address the need for food for children identified as being homeless. Children identified as being homeless are defined as children who are living in overcrowded housing, staying with family or friends, staying in hotels/shelters, or sleeping in vehicles.

"Kid-friendly" foods such as cereal, granola/yogurt bars, fruit cups, applesauce, pudding, canned dinners, peanut butter, jelly and bread are given to the kids. The food packs are delivered to the schools on every other week. The school distributes them to children in need. Community Action works together with the schools to determine who is in need.

The CDBG Accessibility Assistance Program receives funding from the City of Bismarck and through Community Action Program helps income eligible households with a disabled family member to resolve accessibility and home repair issues in their homes. With these funds we help with things such as constructing wheelchair ramps, installation of walk-in showers, installation of grab bars, and also removing architectural barriers to make it easier to maneuver in their homes.

This program is limited to residents of Bismarck.

Clothing, household items, and furniture are available free of charge to eligible households. Volunteers to work in the center are utilized and needed.

The Clothing Closet is located in the CAP office and is open on Mondays through Thursdays, 8am - 11:30pm and 12:30pm - 2pm.

How You Can Help

We accept donations at our office Monday through Friday from 8am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm. If you are donating large items (furniture, appliances, etc.) please call before coming to set up a time to drop them off.

This program is designed to provide housing and supportive services on a long-term basis for homeless persons with disabilities and their families who are living in emergency shelters or places not intended for human habitation. The program allows for a variety of housing choices and a range of supportive services in response to the needs of the hard-to-reach homeless population with disabilities using the housing first approach.

Energy Efficiency Programs included are Weatherization, Emergency Furnace Repair/Replacement, Residential Energy Efficiency Program, Cooling Program.

The Weatherization Program provides energy conservation services to low-income homeowners and renters to make their homes more energy efficient. The program helps to increase energy efficiency and reduce heating bills by concentrating on the problems of heat loss and air infiltration. Weatherproofing repairs such as insulation, caulking, and weather-stripping are provided to income eligible households.

Emergency Furnace Repair and Replacement Program assists households with repair and replacement of unsafe heating systems. Clients must be eligible for the Fuel Assistance Program and may be required to make a co-payment.

Cooling Assistance helps those who require a cooled space in their home during the summer months. A medical verification is required and the household must meet income guidelines. Equipment purchased for the house from local suppliers can be a window air conditioner, ceiling fan, or repairing the existing cooling equipment. Electrical upgrading of the house for cooling equipment to run properly is also eligible. 

Energy Share is a cooperative effort of Community Action Agencies in North Dakota, utility companies, and private donors to help eligible households prevent electrical shutoffs. Assistance is provided to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) eligible households to prevent electrical shutoffs when the situation has been deemed an emergency.

Food baskets to families and individuals. 

The Helping Hands Program funds received through the ND Housing Finance Agency are for the purpose of supporting new or existing single or multi-family rehabilitation programs. Community Action Program uses these funds for a number of things including emergency repairs, handicap accessibility, and to support our other rehab programs.

The HOME Rehabilitation Program is a program that receives HUD funding which is distributed through the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services. This funding is used to help bring existing single-family, low to moderate income, owner-occupied homes up to Section 8 Housing Quality Standards and the North Dakota HOME Program's Rehabilitation Standards so that the home is decent, safe, and sanitary.

Income eligible individuals who have an eviction notice due to non-payment of rent may be assisted with up to one month’s rent to stop the eviction and avoid becoming homeless. Assistance is based on availability of grant funds.

This program is designed to help individuals and families become economically self-sufficient. A case manager assists program participants on a one- to-one basis in setting goals and achieving them through:

• Identifying and resolving problems  
• Identifying community resources  
• Exploring educational and employment opportunities 
• Building and improving self-confidence.

The goal of Tenant Based Rental Assistance is to assist individuals and families to increase their housing stability, increase their skills and/or income, and obtain greater self-sufficiency.

Length of assistance is determined by availability of grant funds.

Tri-State HELP (Housing Environment for Living Positively) HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids) is a needs-based program for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families who live in North Dakota, Montana or South Dakota and need housing assistance and/or related services.

The goals of the program are to provide a stable housing environment and provide access to services such as medical care and recovery and counseling programs.