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Community Action coordinates food donation sites

The Garrett County Republican

OAKLAND — The Garrett County Joint Information Center is directing all questions and local offers of donations related to COVID-19 to Garrett County Community Action.

The non-profit has been appointed to manage all local contributions related to COVID-19 such as homemade face coverings, food assistance, volunteer sign-ups and cash donations.

Community Action has announced six separate food drives throughout the month of June.

Nonperishable food will be collected, with the first date today, June 8, at the following locations:

• Pine Grove Church of the Brethren:

June 8 3-7 p.m.

June 11 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

June 15 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

June 18 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department:

June 19 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

• Friendsville Volunteer Fire Department:

June 20 10 a.m. to noon

To read the full article click here.

SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $40,000 FOR HOUSING PRESERVATION IN GARRETT CO.

WASHINGTON, DC – October 7, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. (GCCAC) has been awarded a $40,189 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to assist very-low and low-income homeowners. The $40,189 Housing Preservation Grant will be used to finance low interest or deferred loans to help low-income homeowners in Garrett County repair their homes and remove substandard conditions.
“We need to ensure that all Americans have access to the financing they need to remove dangerous and unsafe conditions and to make the necessary home repairs that will ensure the health and safety of families,” said Senator Cardin. “These funds will provide those in need with affordable loans to help ensure their homes are structurally safe and sound.”

“I am pleased that these families will be able to get the helping hand they need to make repairs to their own homes so they can continue to share in the American dream,” Senator Mikulski said. “My economic purpose is to give those who are not middle class the chance to get there, and Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. certainly gives families that opportunity.”

The Housing Preservation Grant Program provides grants for repair or rehabilitation of low and very low-income housing. Very low income is defined as below 50% of area median income (AMI) and low income is defined as between 50% and 80% of AMI. The Garrett County Community Action Committee assists the residents of Garrett County in establishing and/or maintaining a safe, healthy and affordable home. In 2009 and 2008, GCCAC received USDA Rural Development grants of $37,000 to assist with housing improvements.

Contact:
Susan Sullam: 410-962-4436

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

"But For The Grace Of God Go I": Garrett County's Hidden Homeless

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by Glenn Tolbert

In Garrett County they’re known as “the hidden homeless.”

You don’t see them pushing shopping carts filled with possessions, or holding out signs requesting money or a place to sleep. But the homeless are very much here.

They’re temporarily staying with friends or relatives who want them out of the house. Or they’re the victims of domestic abuse who may literally be fleeing for their lives.

Ask Carrie Getson about the homeless in Garrett County. As senior case manager for Garrett County Community Action’s (GCCAC), she has aided 515 persons this year living in 149 households. The assistance can be anything and everything from the first month’s rent to security deposits, eviction prevention, and utility shutoffs.

How do people in this area, where the long, brutal winters make it impossible to live on the streets, get to be homeless?

“Many have burned their bridges with family members,” Getson says. “They may have also had rocky relationships with previous employers and landlords. This makes it very difficult for them to get into housing that they can afford.”

Getson points out that while there is money available to the homeless population to help initially get them into housing, ongoing assistance has a waiting list of several years.

“Currently, we have funding to provide one night’s shelter in three motels in the county,” she says. “This really doesn’t help the situation too much.”

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Governor O'Malley Statement Regarding $2.5M in Federal Funding for Weatherization Efforts in Western Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 27, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement by United States Secretary of Energy Chu that two local weatherization agencies in Western Maryland would be receiving over $2.5 million in additional federal funding to assist low-income households with projects designed to reduce their energy bills.

“I want to congratulate the Garrett County Community Action Committee, based in Oakland, on its award of over $1 million to install wind, solar or geothermal renewable energy systems for low income residents. Congratulations are also in order for Washington County-based C&O Conservation, Inc., located in Williamsport, for its award of $1.5 million to replace improperly sized HVAC equipment, thereby saving energy and extending equipment life. Both of these agencies work through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, weatherizing homes for low-income residents in order to save energy and reduce energy bills.

“Since the receipt of federal Recovery Act funds, these two agencies, along with agencies throughout Maryland, have stepped up their production rates and are currently weatherizing more than 350 homes per month. Through June 2010, 1,586 homes in Maryland had been weatherized using federal Recovery Act funding. These grants mark an exciting opportunity to allow low-income residents to enjoy the benefits of alternative energy sources and lower utility bills. These investments in energy efficiency also result in jobs for carpenters, electricians and others who perform the weatherization.”

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Duane Yoder receives 2010 Houser of the Year Award


Duane Yoder, president of the Garrett County Community Action Committee, received the 2010 Houser of the Year Award during the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition’s (MAHC) annual meeting last month in Annapolis. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated “outstanding” overall achievement in the development of quality affordable rental housing in Maryland. Additionally, this individual is someone who, over the years, has helped to promote and preserve affordable housing opportunities for low-income Marylanders by tackling tough issues and advocating for the affordable housing industry in the state.

Yoder has been an industry leader who has advocated for or supported affordable housing for all of Garrett County for many years, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt, who attended the conference. “Duane is recognized by his peers from all around the state for his dedication and hard work,” said Pagenhardt. “It was very evident to me that Garrett County is a model for every local jurisdiction throughout the state for our affordable housing program and the acknowledgment of Duane for this award was certainly deserving.”

Read the rest of the article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350