Winter time in South Dakota can sometimes result in car engines not starting. For people with no money for repairs, there are options in some cities, including a nonprofit blending low-cost repairs with engine maintenance smarts.
In Sioux Falls and Rapid City, the SHIFT Garage accepts applications from low-income people in need of a standard repair. If they qualify, they only have to cover the cost of the parts, which are not marked up. The labor is free, provided by experienced volunteers who replace the battery or install new brakes.
Chris Erickson, who directs the Rapid City location, said they want people to avoid a vicious cycle such situations can create.
"Nowadays, to do brakes, it's like 600 bucks," Erickson pointed out. "And if you have a vehicle that is your only way of getting yourself back and forth to work and that goes out and you get this thousand-dollar repair bill for something that you can't afford, not only can you not fix your vehicle -- but now you can't get to work to make money to fix your vehicle."
He explained keeping the repair bill drastically lower could prevent someone from seeking help through a predatory lender. Similar nonprofits can be found in other states, and if you live in a community without one, church offices sometimes provide emergency funds for car repairs. Poverty-fighting organizations, such as community action agencies, might also offer guidance.
SHIFT Garage also asks clients to pay a $50 fee, but it can be waived if they take a vehicle maintenance class at the shop or a financial literacy course elsewhere in the community. Erickson emphasized sharpening your DIY skills will likely keep your engine running longer.
"We see a lot of times where a minor repair goes unresolved and becomes a major repair," Erickson added.
He stressed the courses also provide opportunities for families to pass along tips to their children, so they avoid similar hardships in the future.
SHIFT Garage mostly works on cars around 20 years old as electric vehicles remain out of reach for most low-income households. Erickson said they will try to evolve with the technology as more hybrid and used EV models make their way around the secondary market.
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Cities and states, including Mississippi, are grappling with rising homelessness.
In Mississippi, 982 people experience homelessness daily, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Ledger Parker - the executive director of Mississippi United To End Homelessness - said its Continuum of Care program works with partner organizations and government agencies, to serve and house vulnerable populations in 71 counties across the state.
He said the program utilizes outreach teams that aim to build relationships with the unhoused.
"So those outreach teams, whenever they go, they get to know them," said Parker. "They do collect information, and they perform an assessment. That assessment that we do is to try to find out how vulnerable they are in their homelessness. Our goal is we want to limit the number of deaths in homelessness."
Meanwhile, the Jackson City Council has recently delayed a vote on a contentious ordinance that would ban sleeping on city property, and allow the removal of homeless encampments - which is sparking debate over the best approach to tackle the crisis.
Parker said the outreach teams are vital, and work in several urban areas such as Tupelo, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Starkville, and Columbus to assist with finding housing.
He added that the group provides resources for wraparound services - but there are some challenges, as many individuals lack identification, which is essential for signing leases and applying for jobs in Mississippi.
"Those outreach teams begin the process of making sure that person has the pieces they need to get into housing," said Parker, "but then also down the road to get an employment, health care, mental health care. We try to really encourage them to choose housing."
Parker added that initially it's had to persuade individuals to accept housing.
Once housed, the organization strives to provide comprehensive support services. However, a small percentage, likely around 10%, experience a return to homelessness.
This recidivism rate is not ignored as the organization actively works to re-house these individuals.
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La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder.
This is the third year of major price hikes for Pacific Power and Pacific Gas and Electric, with rates up by 40% from four years ago.
One report found nearly half of Americans struggle to pay their utility bills and last winter, a January ice storm and rate hikes saw power shut off for a record number of Oregon households due to lack of payment.
Jami Seymore, home energy expert for the Energy Trust of Oregon, said this winter, one way to save on energy bills is to lower the thermostat at night.
"Every degree you drop that thermostat, you can save about 3% on your energy bill," Seymore pointed out.
Seymore recommended setting the thermostat to around 67 degrees during the day and about 59 at night. If you have a heat pump, do not change the temperature more than a few degrees either way for maximum efficiency.
The most helpful way to save money is to keep the heat inside by insulating walls, attics and floors. Seymore noted filling in gaps around the home like door frames, windows and mail slots can save up to 20% on heating costs. She added Energy Trust of Oregon can help cut the costs of projects.
"Energy Trust offers higher incentives for people with lower to moderate incomes to be able to make some of those changes a little more affordable," Seymore emphasized.
One source of energy loss people may overlook is the air filter. Seymore recommends changing it about every three months, or every time the season changes.
"A dirty air filter, that actually slows all that airflow coming in," Seymore observed. "It's going to waste energy and it's going to cost you more money."
If you need help with utility bills, Seymour advised checking with your utility provider first, as most have assistance programs and payment plans. You can also apply for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, which offer assistance for installing high-efficiency electric appliances, along with insulation and air sealing measures.
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Temperatures are dropping in the Commonwealth and community action agencies said help is available for those struggling to pay their heating bills.
The federal Home Energy Assistance Program helps households making less than 60% of the state median income, which for a family of four is just under $95,000.
Liz Berube, executive director of the community action agency Citizens for Citizens, serving the Fall River and Taunton area, called the eligibility requirements very generous.
"These are clearly for people who work, or you were working and you're laid off, you're on worker's comp, people who slip through the cracks," Berube outlined. "This could be the program for you."
Berube pointed out the website HeatingHelpMA.org has information on heating and other energy savings programs, as well as a link to an online application portal.
The Department of Public Utilities recently approved natural gas rate hikes for National Grid and Eversource customers. Monthly bills could increase from 11% to 30%.
Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she is already hearing from her constituents in the Second Essex District, wondering how they will make it through the winter.
"Every single day, the biggest call to our office is housing insecurity and how am I going to heat my home," Lovely reported. "How am I going to be able to stay in my home?"
Lovely is grateful for the federal, state and local partnerships making the heating aid program possible.
Joe Diamond, executive director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, a coalition of more than twenty community action agencies helping families apply for needed services, said keeping people warm is about more than lowering energy bills.
"It is a health program. It's a safety program. It's a housing preservation program," Diamond explained. "It is also a program that allows people to access other programs."
Diamond noted if households qualify for heating help, they automatically qualify for weatherization programs, which can include new insulation, appliances or heating systems. Public safety officials stressed the programs save both money and lives. They emphasized well-maintained heating equipment is much less likely to cause fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
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