PATHWorks Newsletter: JANUARY 2022
Success Story - Employment - Finances - Asset Building - Housing Works Updates - Resources
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2021 Year in Review
The PATHWorks program is available to families and individuals participating in the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program. The program employs a coaching model aimed at helping participants increase their earned income, obtain financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency.
The program provides participants with access to one-on-one coaching to support them in achieving their stated goals, such as education, homeownership, small business development, health, and more, in addition to employment. The program can last up to 5 years. To graduate from the PATHWorks program, participants must be suitably employed, not have received TANF for at least the last 12 months prior to graduation, and have achieved the individual goals they set for themselves.
PATHWorks Program 2021 Highlights:
- 102 current PATHWorks participants
- 27 new participants enrolled
- 15 participants graduated
- 12 of those 15 graduates received escrow funds averaging $2,420
- 4 participants released their vouchers and are no longer receiving Housing Assistance
- 7 current or previous participants purchased homes this year
Here are a few of their stories:
- Erik S. graduated from the nursing program at COCC and is now a registered nurse at a hospital. Due to his increased income, he automatically graduated from the PATHWorks program and released his Housing Choice Voucher assistance. Erik also graduated from the VIDA savings program for homeownership and opened a First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account with his VIDA funds and personal savings. He is planning on purchasing a home later this year.
- Lacey S. increased her income through full-time employment and graduated the PATHWorks program with $11,223 in escrow earned during her participation. She released her Housing Choice Voucher assistance and is saving in the VIDA program preparing for homeownership as well.
- Lisa B. graduated and purchased a home in Redmond and released her assistance. She used her escrow savings and VIDA funds to reach her goal of becoming a homeowner.
- Casey G. graduated and became a Habitat for Humanity homeowner in Bend. She also received escrow savings and funds from her VIDA account to help her become a 1st-time homeowner.
- David H. graduated and purchased a home in Redmond.
- You can read about Dana's and Ginger's graduations and home purchases here.
- Victoria G., another PATHWorks graduate and homeowner who was featured in our October 2021 newsletter, also released her assistance.
- Participants Amanda P., Britney S., Deborah B., Michelle C., Natussa D., and Staci T., all graduated at the end of their PATHWorks Contracts of Participation by being suitably employed, not receiving TANF for at least the last 12-months prior to graduation, and completing the goals they identified for themselves.
PATHWorks participants also have priority access to apply to the Valley Individual Development Account (VIDA) program. This 3:1 matched savings program allows participants to save for 1 of 6 asset classes: 1) homeownership, 2) small business development or expansion, 3) post-secondary education, 4) vehicle, 5) home repair, or 6) retirement.
Currently, we have 42 participants in the VIDA Program with 7 new enrollees. In 2021, 10 participants graduated and received matched savings towards their goals.
- 7 homeowner graduates
- 2 purchased vehicles
- and 1 graduate used their funds towards retirement
These statistics highlight some of the great successes that were achieved by our clients this past year. Dreams become reality with a clear goal, a focused plan and follow through. If you are a current Housing Choice Voucher holder and are interested in joining the PATHWorks program, please contact Housing Works and reach out to one of our PATHWorks coaches today!
PATHWorks Coaches
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How do I Work From Home?
We often get asked as PATHWorks coaches how to find work-from-home opportunities in Central Oregon. Many people have a desire to find a work-from-home job. So just how do you find work-from-home opportunities?
We reached out to our employment partners at COIC/WorkSource and Express Employment Professionals to see what they had to say. They both responded that their organizations do not come across many work-from-home jobs in Central Oregon. They did mention that a few local employers have listed work-from-home positions on Indeed.com. Here is a link to Indeed.com if you want to take a look.
The PATHWorks program has had several clients in the past who have worked from home, but those opportunities developed after they had been working onsite with their employer. You may want to ask your current employer if there are any work-from-home opportunities within your organization. If you are currently applying for employment, you could ask if any remote opportunities are available now or in the future. Other clients have worked from home providing customer service support remotely for employers outside of Central Oregon; they found those jobs directly through the companies individual websites.
If you are interested in working from home, it may take some research and extra effort to land a good position. Also, ask yourself, "Why do I want to work from home?" That answer will be different for everyone. Will you miss the social aspect of working onsite with a team of coworkers? If you work from home, you generally must have a quiet workspace and the discipline to focus during your work hours without too many interruptions. Do you have that? If not, can you create it? You will also need access to high-speed internet and perhaps your own computer that meets the employer’s requirements. Make sure you ask if the employer will be providing the computer and offsetting the cost of high-speed internet.
Work-from-home jobs are still the exception instead of the norm. The COVID-19 Pandemic has accelerated this type of employment though and organizations are more comfortable than ever before with hybrid working environments. So, if you truly want to work from home, it looks like finding the right job might take a little extra effort; but honestly, it takes effort to create whatever lifestyle you desire. Good luck with your search!
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Financial Education
Financial literacy provides you the knowledge and skills you need to manage money effectively. It is essential for managing your budget, paying day-to-day expenses, and preparing for your financial future. Understanding how a checking account works, what using a credit card really means, how to avoid debt, and investing are some examples of financial literacy.
Wherever you are on your financial journey, one way you can increase your financial literacy is through financial education. There are many opportunities available for financial education. See the list below for a few options.
Improving your financial literacy will help you make better financial decisions in your life. It’s your money and you should have control over it. You can take the first step in building long-term wealth through financial education.
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First-time Home Buyer Savings Account
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Grand Opening of Legacy Landing Celebrated on November 10, 2021
The Legacy Landing grand opening event was well attended by new residents, community members, partners, and Housing Works staff. Melissa Valadez, Housing Works Board Commissioner, kicked off the event with a great overview of the development and the partners involved in making it happen. Other speakers included City of Bend Mayor, Sally Russell; Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang; Mosaic Medical’s Chief Financial Officer, Steve Strang; and Housing Works’ Executive Director, David Brandt. Margaret S. Salazar, Executive Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services, shared a virtual message highlighting the partnerships that made it possible in the development of Legacy Landing. You can watch a video of her remarks by visiting www.housing-works.org. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and were given a tour of the facilities.
Legacy Landing is a new affordable housing community with 47 apartments dedicated to housing low-income seniors on three residential floors above a ground floor health center. Mosaic Medical, a nonprofit organization serving individuals and families throughout Central Oregon regardless of income or insurance status, owns and operates the health center. Of the 47 apartments at Legacy Landing, six will be set aside for qualifying patients of Mosaic Medical with chronic medical conditions, and four apartments will be available to senior veterans who are homeless and working with the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. All of the residents—as well as general members of the public—will have access to the comprehensive medical services and retail pharmacy provided by Mosaic Medical on the ground floor.
“We are very excited to be partnering with Mosaic Medical on this development. By integrating Mosaic’s health services on-site and providing a link to their proactive, team-based approach to coordinated care, we can greatly improve the health of the residents and the surrounding community,” says David Brandt, Housing Works’ Executive Director.
Legacy Landing is located in a thriving area proximate to not only health resources, but to shopping and recreation as well. Additionally, the site is well served by local transit and will have on-site amenities including a ground floor community room, nicely equipped exercise space and a top floor community room with an outside deck showcasing beautiful mountain views.
In addition to Housing Works, the development team included general contractor R&H Construction, architect Jim Landin, investor Wells Fargo, lender NOAH and property manager EPIC Property Management. Legacy Landing was constructed using funds from Oregon Housing and Community Services’ 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), GHAP resources, Housing Trust Funds, HOME funds, and Oregon Multifamily Energy Program funds. The purchase of the land was made possible by utilizing funds from the City of Bend’s Affordable Housing Fund and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Legacy Landing will be managed by EPIC Property Management, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Housing Works. Please check https://epicopenings.net to find out which of Housing Works’ affordable properties located throughout Central Oregon, are currently taking applications.
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Waiting List Opening
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Waiting List will open:
Monday, January 10th, 2022 (8 am) through
Friday, January 14th, 2022 (5 pm)
This program is open to low-income qualified residents of Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties. Applicants must apply online at www.oregonhousingworks.org.
This program is open to low-income qualified residents of Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties. Applicants must apply online at www.oregonhousingworks.org.
The time you apply during the week does not impact your position on the waiting list. All applications taken during the open period will be randomized by a computer and placed on the waiting list to give all applicants an equal chance. All current applications are purged from the waiting list annually on December 31st. Anyone who is currently on the waiting list needs to reapply to the 2022 list.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Housing Works will be open to the public under limited occupancy. We ask that walk-ins are limited to 6 guests at a time. Staff will continue to be available over the phone during regular business hours (Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) to offer technical assistance. If you are in need of technical assistance, please contact Housing Works at (541) 923-1018 or email us at frontdesk@housing-works.org. We highly encourage you to not wait until the last day of waitlist week to reach out for technical support. Additionally, Housing Works has partnered with different service providers around Central Oregon that can assist you with completing your application online.
- Bend/LaPine, Redmond, Sisters, Jefferson and Crook County Schools
- Bend VA
- Best Care
- Cascade Youth & Family Services
- COVO
- Deschutes County Mental/Behavioral Health
- DHS
- FAN
- J Bar J
- Latino Community Association
- Mosaic Medical
- Saving Grace
- Thrive CO
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Welcome Michelle Fugate, Housing Specialist |
Housing Works would like to introduce and welcome Michelle Fugate as our newest Housing Specialist!
Michelle was born and raised in Central Oregon where she is a third generation Redmond resident and vested in the community. Michelle is a proud mother of two teenage girls and recently married. Michelle attended University of Oregon and earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree. Her professional background includes banking and working with disabled students at several schools. Michelle is excited about public service and looks forward to her career at Housing Works where she can interact with others and help make a difference in their lives!
Michelle's contact information:
Phone #: (541) 323-7421
For a complete contact list of Housing Works' employees, click here. |
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