Ms. Roop 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. Ms. Roop is a is a single woman with no dependents (two cats).
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).
Ms. Roop works as a waitress in Brandon at Taste of Berlin earning $7.98 an hour plus tips. The counselor and client agreed that future appointments would concentrate on money management (budgeting), increasing savings, and continuing to work on credit. Ms. Roop 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.
The client’s income was reduced when she had to take a leave of absence due to a recent illness. Ms. Roop 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, Ms. Roop 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. Ms. Roop’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. Ms. Roop 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
