Resident & Community Services Programs

Transcription

1 Resident & Community Services Programs 1

2 RCS Mission RCS programming is designed to improve the quality of life for residents of the Denver Housing Authority and neighboring communities by offering empowerment opportunities, economic enhancement services, and vibrant living environments. 2

3 RCS Team The RCS team serves residents across the city of Denver at 18 locations. RCS staff have offices at every development and every senior/disabled building. 3

4 Opportunity Centers RCS provides Opportunity Centers (OCs) at North Lincoln, Platte, Sun Valley, Westridge, and Westwood. 4

5 RCS Services RCS provides many programs to meet aging in place and upward mobility needs. 5

6 Leadership Leadership, education, and advocacy programming through the Local Resident Councils (LRC) and the Resident Council Board (RCB) offer aging in place and upward mobility opportunities. 6

7 Aging in Place Programs Service Coordinator programs are offered at all 18 public housing sites. 7

8 Aging in Place Senior and disabled service coordinators provide resources and referrals to meet grant goals, including, but not limited to: Health, medical, and dental Mental health Nutrition and meal service Tax assistance Disability services 8

9 Upward Mobility Programming Upward Mobility Programming includes: Education Self sufficiency Financial Fitness Employment Homeownership 9

10 Self Sufficiency Service Coordinator Grant Goals Self sufficiency services coordinators at the developments and dispersed provide resources and referrals to meet grant goals. The following goals must be met: Employment attained Employment retained Increase in income Bank accounts established Increases in savings Increase in credit score 10

11 Community Service Program Assists residents in meeting their federally required community service requirements of 8 hours per month. Works with local volunteer agencies to match need with capable volunteers. DHA residents are required to do community service unless they are working, in school, or disabled or receiving food stamps. 11

12 Youth Employment Academy (YEA) YEA offers youth, ages 16-21, academic, employment, and leadership classes. 12

13 Youth Employment Academy (YEA) YEA offers academies that provide entry level training and hands on instruction in business services, healthcare, and the culinary arts. 13

14 ASSET Program DHA provides the following soft skills training: Job readiness training (JRT) Resume writing and interview basics Barrier assessment 14

15 ASSET Program The Program addresses the main issues facing businesses today: Proper Selection of Potential Employees Training of Employees Employee Retention The Program provides job training and job readiness classes. ASSET staff also assist with job placement with DHA contractors in a variety of positions. 15

16 Family Self-Sufficiency FSS Program 16

17 FSS Success Stories Many DHA residents have earned between $30,000 and $40,000 through their FSS Escrow accounts! Many FSS graduates have bought a home of their own! 17

18 Overview of FSS Program The FSS Program offers an escrow account which is automatically created when the resident has increases in earned income. FSS goals include: Work towards increasing income. Work to repair and build credit. Work toward owning a home. 18

19 Joining the FSS Program To enter the FSS Program and start the escrow account, participants must sign an FSS contract. 19

20 Financial Counseling Credit Reports Free!! Includes Credit Score Explanation of items on report Credit repair assistance Budgeting Debt Reduction Savings Plan Income Growth Plan 20

21 The FSS Escrow Account As income from work increases, rent goes up. This results in increases in escrow deposits. Income Rent Monthly Escrow Credit Amount Accrued after 12 months Not working -- $0 income $25 $0 $0 $900 a month ($10,800 annual work income) $1,800 a month ($21,600 annual work income) $300 $275 $3300 $600 $575 $

22 One Time Only in FSS Head of household can participate in FSS one time only. Anyone terminated from the FSS Program, may not rejoin. 22

23 How to Cash Out the Escrow Participants must complete all goals they set in their FSS contract. Participants must be employed full-time (at least 32hrs/week) for at least six consecutive months prior to cashing out their escrow. Participants must repair credit to a self-sufficient level. Household cannot have received TANF cash assistance for 12 consecutive months prior to cashing out. 23

24 HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM 24

25 Who Can Participate? As a HUD Approved Counseling Agency, DHA provides pre-puchase assistance and foreclosure prevention. 25

26 Can it be done? Yes! Over 175 DHA residents have bought a home of their own. 26

27 Program Limitations DHA is not legally set up to give loans or to provide financial subsidy for home ownership. DHA s HomeOwnership Program tries to help participants become what banks consider to be loan ready. 27

28 Program Limitations Although DHA does its best to help, this program will not be able to help everyone. DHA s HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM WORKS WITHIN THE GUIDELINES OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY -- WE CANNOT TELL BANKS WHAT THEIR LENDING REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GIVE LOANS OURSELVES! 28

29 Requirements to Enter the Program To be enrolled in the homeownership Program, all participants must be enrolled in a self sufficiency program. RESIDENTS DO NOT NEED A JOB RESIDENTS DO NOT NEED GOOD CREDIT RESIDENTS DO NOT NEED SAVINGS These are things that the HomeOwnership Program will help residents with. 29

30 Becoming A Home Owner Involves Working On 5 Areas Income Savings Credit Debt Job Stability 30

31 Homebuyer s Club Requirements Be assessed to be less than a year away from being able to pre-qualify for a mortgage that meets their family s needs. Have at least $500 in savings. Have permanent employment/ income. 31

32 Home Buyer s Club Intense real estate and finance training Mandatory classes once a month Peer support Presentations by bankers, realtors, inspectors, and more! 32

33 Homeownership Purchase Requirements Complete the education requirement. Have AT LEAST $1, for down payment (plus additional money, as determined by the mortgage and title companies, for closing costs). Must have stable income. 33

34 Homeownership Program Financial Assistance Reduced interest rates Down payment assistance Closing costs assistance Matching Savings Account Individual Development Accounts Incentive Plus classes and certificates Second mortgage assistance Mortgage insurance reduction 34

35 DHA Employee HomeOwnership Program Private and confidential financial consultation. Receive same services as residents (except DHA Matching Savings Account and Incentive Plus Class credits). FREE credit report from all 3 credit bureaus, including your scores. Receive assistance in repairing/rebuilding your credit. 35

36 Individual Development Account (IDA) The IDA is a Matching Savings Account offered through Mile High United Way. Participant must have income from formal employment to be eligible for these funds. The IDA offers a 4-to-1 match on up to $1000. If you save $1000, you will be matched with $4000! 36

37 Foreclosure Prevention Private and confidential assistance in home retention and foreclosure prevention. One-on-one assistance in negotiating with your lender/servicer to develop an action plan and assist with loan modification requests. Assistance in creating a realistic budget. 37