Battle Creek Organizations and Services
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Call 211 or visit www.volcenterbc.org
Finding help is as easy as picking up the telephone and calling Volunteer Center 211 or completing the form on www.volcenterbc.org. 211’s trained information and referral staff will be happy to help you. Services are free of charge and confidential.
Staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are a cell phone user, 211 can be accessed in the Battle Creek area by calling (269) 565-4159 or outside of Battle Creek at (800) 250-5628.
Other important resources:
Income-based housing:
Battle Creek Housing Commission (public housing/Section 8): 250
Champion; 269-965-0591; www.battlecreekhousing.org
Bent Tree: 59 Laura Lane; 962-4617
Glenwood Trace: 225 Winding Way; 962-7384
Knollwood Apts: 180 Carl Ave.; 962-6209
River Apts: 45 Stringham Rd.; 968-2136
Riverview Pointe: 120 Riverside Dr.; 660-8700
Stratford Park Townhomes: 420 Stratford; 963-1361
Willow Creek Apts: 2400 Capital Ave. SW; 979-3500
Brookstone: Whitmark Road; 962-4617
Minges Creek: 151 Minges Creek Place; 979-3336
Teal Run: Capital and Glenn Cross; 979-5432
Bedford Manor: 100 S. Bedford Rd; 962-3561 (seniors only)
Hill House: 337 Champion; 964-4832 (seniors only)
Lakeview Meadows: 890 W. Territorial; 968-0300 (seniors only)
Springview Tower: 231 Springview Dr; 968-9106 (seniors only)
Emergency rent/utility/mortgage assistance:
In Calhoun County, you must follow this process:
1. Apply for State Emergency Relief at the Department of Human Services (formerly FIA):
2. If denied DHS assistance, call 211 or visit www.call211.com for a referral to another agency or organization that may be able to help. Other agencies, such as Salvation Army and CAA, require a DHS denial and 211 referral.
Other utility assistance:
Winter Protection Plan
Consumers Energy; 1-800-477-5050
SEMCO: 1-800-624-2019.
http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-16368_27179-78777--,00.html
Special payment plans for low-income individuals and seniors to prevent electric and gas shut-offs and high payments during the winter (Dec. 1 – March 31). To apply, contact your natural gas or electric utility company or alternative electric supplier.
Michigan Home Heating Credit (HHC):
Michigan Department of Treasury
http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance
1-800-827-4000
Help with winter heating bills for low-income households, including renters and owners. See the website or call the number above for more information or to get copies of the forms.
Michigan Public Service Commission
1-800-292-9555
http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc
Regulates utility services in Michigan and handles consumer complaints about gas and electric companies. Call the number above or see the website for more information about how to file a complaint.
Other housing resources:
Fair Housing Center
410 E. Michigan, Kalamazoo; 866-637-0733
http://www.nationalfairhousing.org
City of Battle Creek Code Compliance
City Hall Room 311; 269-966-3659
http://ci.battle-creek.mi.us/Services/CodeCompliance/Overview.htm
Neighborhoods, Inc.
47 North Washington Ave.; 968-1113
http://www.nibc.org
Community Action Agency
169 Main Street; (269) 965-7510
http://www.caascm.org/
Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity
551 W. Michigan Ave.
(269) 966-2502
http://www.habitatbc.org/
Tax credits/relief:
Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
U.S. Treasury Department/IRS
http://michiganeic.org/
To request a form: 1-800-829-3676
For information: 1-800-829-1040
The EITC is a special tax benefit for people who work. If you qualify, you will owe less in taxes, and you may get cash back. Even if you do not owe income tax, you can get the credit – but you must file a federal tax return.
State Homestead Property Tax Credit
Michigan Dept. of Treasury
To request a form: 1-800-367-6263
For help preparing claim: 1-800-487-7000
State benefit for Michigan residents who lived in Michigan at least 6 months in 2004, made less than $82,650, and had to pay property taxes or rent. You do not have to file a Michigan income tax return to get the credit.
City of Battle Creek Poverty Exemption
Office of the City Assessor – City Hall
269-966-3369
Tax relief for low-income Battle Creek residents who own and live in their homes. Applications must be filed yearly with the city assessor. Applications are considered in March, July, and December; they must be filed by March 2nd, July 14th, or December 8th respectively.