Housing Department

Emergency Shelter Grants Program (ESGP) is designed to be the first step in a continuum of assistance to enable homeless individuals and families to move toward independent living as well as to prevent homelessness. Homeless prevention assistance eligibility requirements:
• Applicant must have received a foreclosure, eviction or utility cut-off notice.
• Applicant must be unable to make the rent, mortgage or utility payment due to a sudden reduction in income.
• The assistance requested must be necessary to avoid foreclosure, eviction or termination of utility service.
• There must be a reasonable prospect that the applicant will be able to resume the mortgage, rent or utility payment in the near future.
• Applicant must meet all requirements to qualify.

St. Mary Community Action Agency and Louisiana Housing Finance Agency are sponsors of the First Time Homebuyer’s Education Program in St. Mary and Vermilion Parishes. The program allows persons the opportunity to obtain information about owning a home. It consists of 5-2 hour sessions and includes topics on everything you need to know in order to become a homebuyer. This is a free workshop and is open to the public. One on one counseling is also available.

St. Mary Community Action Agency is a participant of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program. The NFMC Program is a program funded by Congress and administered by Neighbor Works America and Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. St. Mary CAA has HUD-approved Certified Counselors that provide information and assistance to families to avoid foreclosure. Through President Obama's Making Home Affordable Program, homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgage may qualify for Refinance or Modification.