Bryan Adcock,
Executive Director

710 East Maine Street
P.O. Box 588
West Plains, MO 65776

Phone: (417) 256-6147
Fax: (417) 256-7318

Email
Website

Counties Served:
Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Texas, Wright

Incorporated: 1975

Photos by Abigail Seymour

By 1966, the federal War on Poverty had established Community Action Agencies or Economic Opportunity Corporations in every Missouri county. Over time, some of these groups merged with the mission of assisting individuals, families, and communities achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency. In July 1975, Ozark Action, Inc. (OAI) was launched as the umbrella Community Action Agency for six counties: Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Texas, and Wright. The original OAI programs focused on meeting basic needs across the six counties, working through established programs like Head Start, Neighborhood Youth Corps, and Adult Basic Education. During the 1970s, it began providing rental assistance and employment and training services, as well as operating Head Start on a direct level. I n the early 1990s, OAI expanded its scope to include affordable housing development.

OAI has completed five housing developments, and manages them: Ozark Action Rentals (4 single-family homes); Seminole Apartments (20 homes); Fox Trot Apartments (24 homes); Deer Lick Apartments (18 homes); and Augusta Oaks Apartments (24 homes) and Ozark Property Rentals (four single-family homes). In addition, under the Housing Choice Voucher and Shelter Plus Care programs, in 2003 more than 700 families were served in those two programs.

The group helps low-income families lower their energy bills by installing insulation, performing heating system repairs and sealing doors and windows. Combined savings for energy and non-energy benefits in 2006 show weatherization returns at $2.69 for every $1 invested. Ozarks House Doctor generates income for OAI by providing similar services to clients who can afford to pay for them.

For more information, please visit www.oaiwp.org.