Housing & Emergency Support Services (HESS)

Housing & Emergency Support Services (HESS) has been providing emergency financial assistance to residents of Portage County since 1941. The program has significantly expanded over the years and currently offers crisis intervention, case management, and direct financial assitance to households experiencing a crisis that threatens their security and well being.

Staff at HESS work to resolve immediate needs such as evictions and utility shut-offs as well as assiting families and individuals with longer term solutions that result in increased household stability. When appropriate, services are coordinated with other community resources to ensure that maximum support is available to meet each household's needs.

Services:
Financial Assistance is based on funding availability and can assist with:

- Utility deposits and disconnection notices
- Security deposits, first month's rent, eviction notices
- Medical needs such as prescriptions and emergency dental procedures

Eligibility:
Eligibility is based on funding requirements and is determined by:

- Documentation of emergency need
- (eviction or disconnection notice, prescriptions, etc.)
- Proof of residency
- Picture identification
- Income verification