Guidewell Financial Solutions Launches Affordable Rental Counseling Program
(PRWEB) July 01, 2016 -- Safe and affordable housing is a basic human need. But fulfilling this need isn’t always easy, especially for families who live on a tight budget or paycheck-to-paycheck. Of the low-income Americans who rent, more than 60 percent spend over half of their gross income on housing. When these families face rent increases or experience financial setbacks, they may fall behind and face eviction. To avoid this stressful situation, nonprofit Guidewell Financial Solutions has launched a rental counseling initiative. The purpose for the program is to help renters learn to budget, save, and to know their rights and responsibilities, so they are more likely to succeed.
Director of Housing and Community Development Tom Simonton says, “We strive to provide clients with a practical understanding of how their cash flow and money management are essential to their financial and overall well-being. And educated renters are likely to make much better tenants.”
Almost 40 percent of Americans currently rent. Young people just starting out, empty nesters, immigrants, and seniors looking to downsize are all prime rental candidates. Effective rental counseling provides these clients with budgeting and saving strategies to help them stretch their household finances farther. Good personal finance habits and informed decision-making also offer an economic gateway, preparing some for future homeownership.
- How Rental Counseling Works
Simonton says Guidewell Financial’s rental counseling initiative includes many of the same components found in its homeownership program. He says both rely on a holistic approach. “In either case, we begin with a comprehensive assessment. Where does the client stand financially? All income and debts are accounted for as well as the client’s current spending plan.”
Where things go from there depends on the client’s situation and personal goals. Clients work with their certified counselors to create a realistic and manageable budget and detailed Action Plan. These tools provide clients with a step-to-step guide for reaching their goals or dealing with any rental issue they may encounter.
For clients who hope to afford a nicer apartment or transition to homeownership, saving and credit building may be primary goals. The counselor helps the client carefully track where his/her money is going, reduce expenses, and consider savings options, such as opening a monthly direct savings account. Together they may also access and review the client’s credit report and discuss strategies for developing or improving credit.
During counseling, clients receive important information about their rental rights and responsibilities. Those faced with a housing crisis – such as individuals and families at risk of eviction - are provided additional referrals and resources. Simonton says, “In a situation like this, we begin by determining how close a client is to eviction or utility cut off. Once that’s clear, we can provide assistance by leveraging our partnerships with local legal services, mediators, and utility representatives.”
- How to Get Help
Guidewell Financial’s recently began a place-based partnership with University of Maryland, Baltimore to help local West Baltimore residents gain financial literacy and essential housing skills. As part of this effort, the agency has a certified housing counselor on site at UMB's Center for Community Engagement (1 N. Poppleton Street, Baltimore, MD) every Wednesday from 10 AM – 6 PM.
Simonton says, “Approximately 75 percent of the people we see at the CEC come in for rental counseling. Drop-in visits are welcome. Our goal is to make help as accessible as possible for these residents and become a part of their neighborhood.”
Rental counseling is also available at Guidewell Financial’s other local offices in Maryland and Delaware and by phone. To make an appointment, call 1-866-731-8486. To learn about the agency’s many other services, visit its website at guidewellfs.org.
Simonton says, “Rental counseling is a win-win for everyone. The more knowledgeable clients are, the better chance they have to succeed as tenants -- and possibly as homeowners down the road. Landlords and the community also benefit, because financially informed tenants are more likely to stay on track and avoid late payment or default.”
About Guidewell Financial Solutions
Guidewell Financial Solutions (also known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware, Inc.) is an accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that helps stabilize communities by creating hope and promoting economic self-sufficiency to individuals and families through financial education and counseling. Maryland License #14-01 / Delaware License #07-01
Nancy Stark, Director of Public Affairs, Guidewell Financial Solutions, http://www.guidewellfs.org, +1 410-357-0614, [email protected]
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