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PATHWorks Newsletter: April 2017
Success Stories - Employment - Finances - Asset Building - Development - Updates - Resources
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Congratulations Christina S.
When Christina joined the PATHWorks program, she was a stay at home mom with a newborn baby boy. Her partner (John) was working to support the family, but with one income they were barely getting by. Christina set a goal to get employed to help increase their household income. She also set her sights on improving her credit while working towards becoming a homeowner.
Christina and John were determined to improve their financial status. They jumped right in by reviewing their credit reports and taking action steps to repair their credit. They made a budget and created a plan to pay down their debt. In addition, they started a savings account and even saved enough money to travel during the holidays. The progress they were making showed them they were on their way to achieving their goals. Christina found daycare for her son and secured full-time employment at a local pharmacy.
With this increase in earned income her escrow savings account began to fund. Christina and John had an opportunity come up to move out of the area when John's work offered him a position in Lebanon. Since Christina was working full-time she was able to graduate from PATHWorks.
Congratulations Christina! Good luck in your move!
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Resume Classes
Did you know that your resume is probably going to be scanned by a potential employer for a mere 10 to 15 seconds? According to a posting on LinkedIn, many recruiters in different industries and countries agree that a first cut is done very quickly, and 10 to 15 seconds was the most common response. This is just the first cut, of course. Later reviews will take much longer, but if your resume is discarded in those first seconds, that won't matter. The goal of the resume is to get you an interview. To get your resume past that first cut, check out these resources.
The Deschutes Public Library offers resume writing classes. Click here for their schedule of classes. In addition to the resume writing classes, there are online tools for career and employment resources. The following is a list of some of the great resources available to begin your job search.
Get a Job Tip Sheet - essential information to get started.
Job and Career Accelerator - an online resource for exploring careers, creating resumes and cover letters, and searching for jobs.
Learning Express - take career or college online practice tests and brush up on basic math, reading writing and computer skills with online tutorials.
Gale Courses - Update old skills or learn new ones. Choose from hundreds of interactive, instructor led 6 week online courses.
Cypress Resume - use this "wizard" to quickly create a professional quality resume.
A Deschutes Public Library card is required to access most of these resources remotely. If you don't have a library card, click here to learn more.
In addition to the wonderful resources offered by the library, the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) also offers resume writing classes. Your local COIC/WorkSource Oregon can be your one stop shop in your resume writing and job search. To see the schedule of classes click here.
Learning how to write the perfect attention grabbing resume to get past that first 10-15 second cut is crucial. Learn the steps, tips, and tricks to get to the second stage of the hiring process and land that perfect job! Click on the images below to learn more. Now is a great time to be looking for work in Central Oregon. So take advantage of these great opportunities.
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Do the Math
We would all agree that you need reliable transportation in Central Oregon since we have limited access to public transportation. But what kind of vehicle is the best fit for your budget? When you’re ready to buy a car, it is important to do the math.
Think in terms of total transportation costs when it comes to your purchasing decision. That includes; payments if financed, gas, insurance, registration and maintenance. A good rule of thumb is that your transportation costs should not exceed 15% of your net (take home) income. Here is a quick example.
Automobile and transportation costs consist of: auto payment(s), insurance, gasoline, oil changes, license, parking, tolls, registration and repairs.
$300.00 (total transportation costs) ÷
$1,900 (net monthly income) =
15.79 % (your transportation percentage). This is the
Su
ggested = 15% Total.
As you can see on a fixed or lower income, the amount you have available for transportation is limited. It is important to stay within your budget to avoid living on the edge financially. Buying a car that you can’t afford is one of the quickest ways to wreck your finances.
What am I really paying for this car?
If you have less than perfect credit and you are shopping at one of the discount dealers that finance almost everyone, be very careful. In many cases they charge high interest rates and then increase the number of payments to get you a payment you think is right for your budget, but again do the math! Just because the payment fits, doesn’t mean it’s a good deal.
Cost of vehicle: $9,289
Payment Term 52 months
Payment amount $294
52 x 294 = $15,288.00
Now that you have done the math, ask yourself. Do I want to pay that much ($15,288) for this car, because that is what it really costs you! If it’s an older car with higher miles, the maintenance of the vehicle could make it even more expensive. Nothing is worse than dumping your hard earned money into a car that you still owe years of payments on.
The bottom line is, cars are a necessary evil. Try and keep your emotions out of the deal and avoid dealer pressure. Identify what you can afford and stick to it. Your vehicle is for transportation, if you make it more than that, and many do, you could end up paying a high price for going beyond your budget. That mistake can take years to recover from. You would be better off to buy a beater car and work on improving your credit so that you can buy a reliable entry level vehicle with a low payment, great interest rate, and 10 year warranty. I know that’s not as fun as buying your dream car, but until you can afford your dream car, don’t make your next car a nightmare for your finances.
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Homeownership Opportunity
Recently, Bend, OR was ranked as one of the highest in rent increases in the NATION. Prineville, OR ranked right below it. With increasing rental prices and less than 1% occupancy available in Central Oregon, renting is becoming less appealing and homeownership is becoming more alluring. More than a quarter of our population is making less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income and tend to shy away from the possibility of homeownership. Homeownership opportunities do exist for these low-moderate-income families!
Habitat for Humanity is an organization that builds and sells affordable homes to low-moderate-income households. Habitat works to eliminate barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life. With their help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better future for themselves and their families. Mortgages are affordable and set at approximately 33% of the homeowner’s income.
If you are interested in partnering with Habitat for Humanity to become a homeowner, click here for a listing of the times and dates of the information sessions to learn more. Don’t let fear hold you back from this great opportunity. Learn more about it, and if you’re eligible, apply today.
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DEVELOPMENT HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER
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Waiting List Opening -
Cook Crossing
Construction of the new 48-unit affordable senior housing (55+) community will be completed this summer. EPIC Property Management will be accepting applications for the waiting list Monday, April 10th through Thursday, April 13th, 2017. Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during this time at the office of Spencer Court, 2445 SW Canal Blvd., Redmond, OR. Please note: The Waiting list will be established through a lottery so the time you apply during this open period does not affect your position on the waiting list. Late applications will not be accepted.
Units will be available for occupancy in late July or early August of 2017.
Cook Crossing, named after Housing Works' previous Executive Director, Cyndy Cook, is a 48-unit affordable senior housing community available to those 55 or older with income less than 50% of the area’s median income. (For a household of one that is currently $20,900 and a household of two is $23,900.) Mosaic Medical Clinic will be located on the ground floor along with the leasing office, community and flex space, and a workout room. The upper three floors are one and two-bedroom apartments with balconies to enjoy the beautiful mountain views. Rents on these units will run from $460 to $560.
If you are interested in living at Cook Crossing or know someone who might be, please share this information with them.
Again- applications will only be accepted Monday, April 10th through Thursday, April 13th, 2017. Applications will be accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during this time at the office of Spencer Court, 2445 SW Canal Blvd., Redmond, OR.
For updated information for Housing Works Developments, please check out our website here.
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Moving Steps with your Voucher
We understand the moving process can be very confusing and stressful. Below is a checklist designed to help guide you through the process of successfully moving your Housing Choice Voucher with you to another unit.
- If you haven’t already done so, please provide Housing Works with a copy of the Notice to Vacate.
- Receive your Housing Choice Voucher to move.
- Receive a Calculation Estimates Sheet.
- Review the Utility Allowance Sheet.
- Estimate if you qualify for the unit you wish to rent.
- Give your potential new landlord the Golden Key packet (also known as the Request for Tenancy Approval packet).
- The HQS Inspector will schedule the inspection.
- Sign the Rental Agreement with your new landlord after the inspection passes.
- A Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract will be executed between Housing Works and your landlord on your behalf.
Should you have any further questions regarding the moving process, feel free to contact our office at 541-923-1018 and ask to speak with your Housing Specialist.
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EMPLOYMENT
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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