Housing & Utilities Resources

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. We provide federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with:

• Payment of heating or cooling bills (only the energy costs portion of the bill will be paid)
• Utilities that will be disconnected due to non-payment
• Deposits for beginning utility service

The NHDC service area includes Alachua, Clay, and Marion Counties. We have assistance for Marion County Residents through our NHDC Cares Program for assistance for Rent, utilities, and wifi. Our agency also offers a Financial Fitness Program.

The Ocala Housing Authority is committed to providing safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable housing to the residents of Marion County; to provide economic opportunities and housing free from discrimination; and to build dynamic communities that will foster personal growth and self-sufficiency.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2468 Ocala, Florida 34478-2468

Open Arms Village exists to create a safe community that treats homeless individuals with dignity and provides for their basic needs. We provide a full array of programs and services that clients can use to move themselves toward independence. Open Arms Village includes physical, mental, and spiritual program elements. *Open Arms is a Men’s Facility.

Raising & Improving Self-Sufficiency Expectations (RISE) Program provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to services for entire families by empowering individuals to actively pursue economic independence and obtain employment that pays a living wage. The program is designed for goal-oriented individuals who are motivated and persistent in their pursuit of self-sufficiency.

Participants work with a Case manager to assess their needs, set goals, and create a specified case plan, designed to address barriers to self-sufficiency such as employment and education.

Other support services may be available to eligible participants, based upon need and availability of resources. Must be able to attend college or trade school and work between 20 – 40 hours per week.

If interested in participating in the R.I.S.E. Program, please contact the Family Development Specialist in your county.

ResCare is the industry leader in the state of Florida. ResCare Florida provides residential services and community living supports to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Individuals take an active role in developing their individual service plan with our interdisciplinary team. We encourage the people we support to engage in family and community activities that may include participation in clubs, classes, athletics, church and other organizations.

We help individuals achieve their highest level of independence at home and in the community. States determine what kinds of community living services they provide. These services are typically funded by Medicaid or other funding.

Saving Mercy Corporation is a non-profit agency that was established in 2016 by a group of concerned citizens who had a heart for the homeless, and wanted to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the chronically homeless within Ocala and Marion County.

We offer case management services to the homeless and help with housing. We hope to begin our construction project soon to build a new community on site that will include multi-family apartments, an administration building with meeting rooms, maintenance storage and laundry facilities. The new community will include an open green space, a playground and recreation area!

Shepherd’s LightHouse has years of experience in helping families and individuals through life’s storms. Shepherd’s LightHouse has many different programs to help our communities homeless families. We are a non-profit that is funded by various different groups allowing us to help with the needs of our clients.

Along with a successful transitional living program, we also manage affordable apartment living, Bridgeway Apartments.

The Thrift Store provides us with regular income and it provides volunteer opportunities for the community. The store also provides a means for our clients to learn skills such as customer service, displaying and cashier.

Shepherd’s LightHouse continues to do outreach through the community with school supply drives and gifts for holidays such as Christmas.