1. This is Jennifer

2. Jennifer's story Single mom Living in York County Receiving TANF
Poor credit
No health insurance
High school diploma

3. Her dreams/goals Support her son independent of public programs
Reliable transportation
Earn a degree in Healthcare Administration
Own a house

4. In 2012 Jennifer enrolled in RESTART
A HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Program
from MaineHousing

5. ReStart Program Support:
Connections to :
Financial Education/Asset Building
Transportation – Assistance with car repair to allow her to continue working
Escrow savings – access to achieve goals and to allow independence when graduating the program
Credit repair – to allow her to qualify for a First Time Homebuyers loan
Competitive Skills Scholarship
Up to $6,000 per year for post-secondary education – including certificate programs and two- and four-year degrees

6. 24 hour support

7. Jennifer’s Eligibility for ReStart?
Housing Choice Voucher
Agreed to a 5 year contract commitment
Ability and desire to work full-time (32+ hours per week).
Desire to actively participate and work a plan to independence which included:
Goal attainment
Comprehensive financial education participation
A minimum of quarterly check in’s

8. Teamwork
A Program Coordinator served as Jennifer’s Coach to help her find the resources she needed to meet her career and financial goals. The coach found the resources. Jennifer followed up on them and did what was necessary to receive the resources.

9. Progress Full time employment College enrollment Automobile loan
Matched savings

10. How does the savings work?
Household TANF income: $500 per month Tenant rental portion: $150 Monthly Escrow: $ 0 Employment income: $1386 per month (32 hrs. x $10.00 p/hr.) Tenant rental portion: $416 Monthly Escrow: $266 (amount of rental portion increase due to employment income)

11. Four years later…where is Jennifer now?
No longer receiving TANF
Working full-time earning $37,000 per year
Good credit
New car
Enrolled as full-time student nearing the end of her Healthcare Administration degree
September 1 successfully graduated from ReStart
Expects to leave HCV program by end of year

12. Savings amount $15,149.68

13. Other FSS Programs Augusta Housing Authority 207-626-2357
Bangor Housing Authority
Brewer Housing Authority
Caribou Housing Authority
Lewiston Housing Authority
Old Town Housing Authority
Portland Housing Authority
Westbrook Housing Authority

14. Additional questions? Laurie Glidden Melissa Lizotte