This client began their journey seeking assistance from a community support organization after experiencing significant challenges related to homeownership. After moving to a new state for a job opportunity, they purchased a home, only to face unexpected difficulties when the pandemic led to a layoff.

After losing their job, the client decided to start their own business while navigating the challenges of building a customer base in a new area. Unfortunately, they struggled to find employment in their field and ended up working multiple part-time jobs, which still didn’t cover all their bills. After falling behind on mortgage payments and facing potential foreclosure, they reached out for help.

During their initial meeting with a foreclosure prevention counselor, the client was hesitant and considered selling their home. However, the counselor encouraged them to explore additional income opportunities beyond self-employment. They discussed a potential job opening at a local organization that aligned with the client’s background in community building.

Through the counselor’s connections, the client was reintroduced to a former colleague who offered them an interview for a position that suited their skills. This opportunity provided the boost they needed to regain stability. Although the new job initially paid less than their previous role, it offered consistent income, allowing them to qualify for a mortgage support program.

With the counselor’s guidance, the client navigated the mortgage modification process, carefully assessing the long-term implications of accepting a modification that would increase their mortgage payments. They decided to decline the modification and focused on their new employment.

After several interviews, the client successfully secured a position in their field, which allowed them to emerge from financial hardship. They are now a job developer/trainer at the organization that had previously helped them, and they have since encouraged others to pursue their homeownership goals.

The client expressed gratitude for the support and guidance they received throughout their journey, recognizing the importance of having someone to lean on during challenging times. They are now thriving in their new role and feel more connected to their community.

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Robert is a single divorced man with no dependents. Robert took Solita’s House Financial Capabilities Workshop in November 2022 and continues to progress in his goals towards rental stability, savings, budgeting, and restoring his credit.

Just two months prior to starting rental counseling, Robert moved into a one-bed-room unit on a month-to-month lease, paying $1250 a month (utilities included). His move-in cost was $3750, exhausting all available savings.

The counselor’s initial review of the client’s credit report showed no credit score reporting the three national credit reporting agencies. The counselor and client are actively working to validate and dispute three collection accounts.

ORIGINAL SHORT-TERM GOALS (5.16.23):

Secure funds to ensure payment for June’s rent

Secure additional “stable | verifiable” income to increase household income

Establish and build credit history (no scores)

Build savings

SHORT-TERM GOALS (updated after 10.5.23 appointment):

• Secure “permanent” stable | verifiable income to ensure rental stability

• Begin Dental Repairs (New Smile!)

• Strengthen Credit History

• Build savings

• LONG-TERM GOAL – Develop and market self-employment business, Atlantis Hydro Tekno, Inc. to serve as primary or sole source of income.

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At the time, Tyshondra’s credit scores were in the mid-550 range, largely due to several collection debts and the overuse of her credit cards, which were at or over their limits. Additionally, she had over $25,000 in student loan debt, further impacting her financial ratios.

A budget was developed based on a “needs vs. wants” framework, allowing her to cover essential household expenses while also setting aside a modest amount for savings. Tyshondra was committed to following the budget and took the initiative to secure a second full-time job. The income from this job was dedicated to reducing credit card balances, negotiating settlements with collectors, and paying down her student loan debt.

Tyshondra’s hard work and dedication paid off. She successfully reduced her credit card utilization from nearly 100% to below 30% and eliminated all collection debt. Her student loan debt was also significantly cut in half.

However, her high income from the two full-time jobs initially prevented her from qualifying for down payment and closing cost assistance. She continued working the second job until it began to affect her health but managed to save over $8,000 during that time.

Ultimately, Tyshondra’s efforts led to an improvement in her credit scores, which rose above the 700 level across all three credit reporting agencies. With her enhanced financial standing, she qualified for a home loan in Polk County and received down payment assistance. Tyshondra successfully purchased a property.

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Geralda is a single mother. She relocated to Tampa, Florida, Geralda faced challenges and eventually sought shelter before securing a Section 8 voucher.

With assistance from Solita’s House, including financial counseling and deposit assistance, Geralda successfully moved into her own apartment. She is determined to achieve homeownership and continues working with a housing counselor to reach her goal.

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Evona reached out to Solita’s House after seeing a Facebook post. She shared her difficult situation of living in a car with her daughter, facing extreme heat and uncertainty. Thanks to the dedication of Solita’s House, Evona and her daughter were successfully placed in a homeless shelter. This outcome is a testament to the organization’s commitment to helping those in need.

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During her participation in the rental housing program, Miketa successfully navigated various financial challenges by actively implementing the strategic plans discussed in ongoing counseling sessions. Her gross monthly income is derived from part-time employment and child support, and she is currently living within her financial ratios.

Miketa has a long-term goal of becoming a substitute teacher in the local school system, and she continues to make strides toward this ambition. Each follow-up appointment includes discussions about her progress and the steps needed to reach her goals.

Original Short-Term Goals:

1. Increase credit
2. Build savings

Completed Action Plan Tasks:

• Established a savings account with regular deposits
• Purchased a washer/dryer with saved funds to reduce laundry expenses
• Negotiated and paid off one collection debt
• Negotiated a settlement for a second collection debt
• Filed a dispute on an unknown item on her credit report
• Received an offer for an unsecured credit card (client is still deciding)
• Began self-reporting her monthly cell phone payment
• Reduced spending on non-essential items after a budgeting session
• Managed household expenses successfully after food assistance was decreased
• Wisely utilized her delayed income tax return to cover essential bills and expenses
• Applied for a temporary employment position with local schools
• Obtained letters of reference for employment
• Returned signed action plans

Amended (Current) Short-Term Goals:

1. Build savings
2. Increase credit score above 600
3. Pay off a single collection account
4. Obtain a temporary-to-permanent position with local schools
5. Mid-term goal: Restore use of personal vehicle to reduce transportation expenses

Miketa regularly expresses appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the rental housing counseling program, highlighting the positive impact it has had on her financial management and overall well-being.

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Ramon learned about Solita’s House through word-of-mouth after experiencing a recent crisis, which he chose not to disclose, leading to a period of displacement. Ramon indicated he feels overwhelmed and uncertain about how to manage his financial situation given his income and ongoing expenses. He moved into a 55+ community in mid-March 2023 and is seeking assistance to ensure his rental housing stability, gain money management and budgeting skills, strengthen his credit history, and build savings.

Ramon’s credit scores were all over 620, and he has a stellar payment history on all open accounts. His primary challenge was a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio due to a high car payment and nine open trade lines, all of which were at or over the credit limit. He was using credit cards monthly for cash advances and to pay household and other debts. His income could not support his ongoing household expenses and debt payments. Ramon applied for a Small Dollar Flex Loan but was denied due to his high DTI ratio.

The counselor and Ramon developed a strategic action plan to request debt payment deferments, reduce interest rates, and identify areas to lower household and debt expenses while increasing his disposable income.

Ramon understands that achieving rental housing stability and effective debt management will take time. However, he has remained consistent in meeting and often exceeding the action plans identified during counseling sessions.

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Since her initial appointment in October, Jakaisha has remained active in the Rental Housing Counseling Program, working with her housing counselor to secure stable and affordable rental housing, obtain permanent employment, and create written budgets to build her money management skills.

Jakaisha moved into a Section 8 unit with her five children and secured full-time permanent employment. She continues to navigate the financial challenges of maintaining a home for a household of six. Despite these challenges, Jakaisha remains optimistic and extremely grateful for the significant accomplishments she has made over the past eight months. She is committed to staying actively engaged in the program to increase her credit, establish sustainable savings, continue building her money management skills, and have a financial accountability and resource partner.

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Angela came in for her first counseling session on 12-9-2021 seeking to be as mortgage ready as possible as she wanted to move from where she lived. The client was having issues with her next door neighbor, the landlord who was not providing adequate servicing to her apartment and most important, delinquency within her apartment complex.

She had good credit scores but her ratios were very high and well above the 55% range. This because she had to use her credit cards while taking care of several health issues that seem at the moment not to be going away. This also affected the necessary savings if as she was planning to buy a home.

A budget was created for the client to follow. This budget was designed to make sure that her basic household and medical expenses were taken care of and for her to start saving a modest amount every month.

Eventually, the client was able to save over $2000 dollars while her credit scores reached the 750 level with all three credit bureau reports.

Angela’s health issues have now passed and she recently and at her last appointment reported that she is under contract with a closing date scheduled for August 7 which is ideal to the client as her lease expires at the end of August. Getting down payment and closing assistance from her selected lender Cross Country Mortgage.

A post purchase counseling appointment was then scheduled for October.

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Alena came to Solita’s House with a goal to gain rental and financial stability based on continued increase in rent and some difficulty meeting monthly obligations. The client also expressed her desire to continue working on her credit and savings to obtain homeownership within the next 1 ½ to 2 years.

She has taken both the HBE and FIN CAP Class through Solita’s House.

The client signed a new 16-month lease on March 14, 2023. However, she expressed a desire to relocate to a more stable and affordable rental residence (safety and noise concerns).

The counselor and client agreed that future appointments would concentrate on money management (budgeting), increasing savings, and continuing to work on credit. Alena has actively participated in three counseling sessions. She has made significant progress in implementing the money management and budget strategies discussed during the rental counseling sessions.

Alenap acknowledged relying more on her one credit card, resulting in a higher percentage in card usage. She however is solidly committed to returning the card balance below 25% and working to increase and sustain savings now that she is fully recuperated and has returned to work fulltime.

Even amidst financial challenges, Alena has successfully increased her credit score. She attributes the increase to timely payments on the open credit card account and by utilizing Flex, a rental self-reporting agency that allows her to make rent payments twice a month. Alena’s credit score increased 33 points since she started the Rental Program, from 667 in March to 664 in April to 699 in August.

The counselor continues to work with the client to manage or overcome other debt reduction challenges. Alena remains optimistic in accomplishing her short and long-term goals and remains actively engaged in housing counseling.

ORIGINAL SHORT-TERM GOALS (3.28.23):

• Relocate to a more stable (safety and environment concerns) and affordable Increase savings
• Pay-off credit card
• Don’t apply for any new credit lines
• Continue to work on credit / Increase credit score
• Become a homeowner in the next 1 ½ to 2 years

COMPLETED ACTION PLAN TASKS

• 1) Increased Credit score 667 to 699
• 2) Salary increase: additional $1.72 an hour
• 3) Reduced online shopping and other wants based spending after budget review
• 4) Timely payments on open credit card account
• 5) Managed rental payments through bi-monthly payments (Flex)
• 6) Regularly provided documents as requested by counselor
• 7) Signed and Returned All Action Plans (3.28.23; 4.27.23; 8.7.23)

AMENDED (CURRENT) SHORT TERM GOALS

• Relocate to a more stable, safe, & affordable unit by end of lease or before
• Pay open credit card below 25% of balance
• Open a savings account with your banking institution or online
• Continue increasing credit score
• Homeownership in the next 1 ½ to 2 years

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