OACAA Briefing: The latest news from OACAA and Ohio's CAAs



March 2023
Photo: "Meals for Wheels" participant receives meal through Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP)'s food delivery program. Photo Source: Valerie Addis, HAPCAP. See "Network News" for more.
ASSOCIATION UPDATES & RESOURCES
Save the Date: OACAA 2023 Annual Summer Conference
The 2023 Annual Summer Conference is July 18-19, 2023, at Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts. Registration will open in April. Check the April newsletter for registration details. >>> EVENT PAGE
NETWORK NEWS & SUCCESSES
Housing is unaffordable for half of Portage County renters, among the worst in the state
(Source: Wendy Dialesandro, The Portager)

Portage County is among the worst counties in Ohio for housing affordability, with residents spending a higher percentage of their income on their rent and other housing costs, according to a recently released U.S. Census Bureau report.

Portage County is second only to Athens County in high housing expenses, with 6.7% of residents paying 30% to 34.9% of their income on housing costs, while 46.9% spend 35% or more to live in one of the county’s 17,288 rental units.

Rentals are not considered to be affordable if occupants have to pay more than 30% of their income on housing costs, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Affordable housing, or the lack thereof, is probably the biggest problem in Portage County,” said David Shea, director of Community Action Council of Portage County, which fights poverty through financial assistance programs. >>> READ STORY
Step Forward to host Men's Elevation Conference

(Source: Step Forward's EventBrite)

The Men's Elevation Conference, presented by Step Forward, is Cuyahoga County's first-ever opportunity in which men will come together to ignite a passion for growth through education, motivation, and celebration.

Topics throughout the one-day event will include financial literacy, entrepreneurship, mental wellness, fatherhood and marriage and the importance of civic engagement.

>>> LEARN MORE
Nutrition program feeds residents' bodies and souls

(Source: Tracey A. Maine, The Athens Messager)

LOGAN — “March For Meals” is a celebration that occurs each March to commemorate the ongoing efforts of Meals on Wheels programs all across the U.S. to help seniors and people with disabilities combat food insecurity.

Valerie Addis is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Southeast Ohio Foodbank & Regional Kitchen (SOFRK), located at 1005 CIC Drive, Logan. She stated that the Hocking-Athens Perry Community Action Program (HAPCAP), has a very active Meals on Wheels program that currently serves around roughly 300 people in Hocking and Athens Counties.

According to hapcap.org, last year their Meals on Wheels program served over 140,000 meals. >>> READ STORY
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