Vantage Point - January 2013
•
1 like•3,875 views
This issue of Vantage Point synthesizes the key themes that emerged in the fall 2012 survey based on the responses of 365 expert stakeholders from the 12th District.
![HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL STABILITY: REACHING THE END OF SAFETY
EXPERT
NET SAVINGS AND STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET
Respondents expressed great concern about decreasing household financial stability in the LMI communi-
VIEWPOINTS
ties they serve and noted that this issue is closely linked to employment conditions. Many households have HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL STABILITY
depleted the savings, unemployment compensation, or other personal safety net measures on which they had “As Utah doesn’t have any real usury laws,
relied through the recession, and are facing mounting debt and turning to alternative financial services in an predatory businesses such as check cashing,
attempt to stave off immediate financial crisis. Respondents noted that many of their clients no longer qualify payday lending, rent-to-own, and paid tax
preparation continue to thrive.” —Utah
for traditional bank products due to poor credit or a poor track record with a bank in the past, and that higher-
cost alternative financial services (AFS) are readily accessible in LMI communities where traditional banks may “[LMI individuals] are not aware or educated
be absent. Respondents explained that these AFS have led some borrowers into even greater debt and cycles enough to realize that by not repaying a debt in
of chronic borrowing. Several respondents described the frustration their clients experience as they struggle to a timely manner, credit will continue to cost too
manage mounting debt with low-paying employment and few other resources available. much, if available at all. Low income families
are also the target of more scams that may end
up as collection accounts. Low income families
tend to feel uncomfortable contacting a creditor,
[and] wait until contact is made by the creditor
Use of Alternative Financial Services (AFS), U.S. Households, 2009 and 2011 or a collection agency. These families are the
ones who use check cashing companies, payday
lenders, rent-to-own furniture and appliance
companies, [and] used car dealers who finance
autos at exorbitant rates.” —California
41%
Ever Used Any AFS “There’s a great need for financial education in
36% school, starting in kindergarten and continuing
on through at least high school. Right now on an
2011 adult education level, most families are facing
2009 issues that could have been avoided by just a
37% little training when [they were] younger. A lot of
Ever Used Transaction AFS time is taken up resolving these issues that, had
Eg., non-bank money orders, non-bank 33% there been basic learning tools in school, would
check cashing, remittances
not have happened.”—California
“Providers of predatory financial products, such
14% as payday lenders, are well capitalized to prey
Ever Used Credit AFS upon communities of low income. Banks are
Eg., payday loans, pawn shops, 12% not willing to give people a second chance to
rent-to-own, and refund
anticipation loans establish a good relationship with the bank.
People are overwhelmed by their financial
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% instability and do not know how to get in control
of their situation. Too much financial information
is a mystery, such as credit scoring, and too
much is intimidating, like the collections process.
Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, “2011 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households,” 2012. There is a need for flexible incentivized savings
products to help people establish emergency
savings and long-term savings.” —Oregon
2](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (10)
Similar to Vantage Point - January 2013
Similar to Vantage Point - January 2013 (20)
More from Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
More from Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Vantage Point - January 2013
- 1. January 2013 ABOUT THE The 12th District INDICATORS Community Indicators Project PROJECT The Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRBSF) The Community Indicators Project is a launched the Community Indicators Project to collect input from community development professionals semiannual survey conducted by the about the issues and trends facing low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities in the 12th District. We hope Community Development Department that by systematically collecting local viewpoints, we will be able to help our constituents gain a deeper understanding of the Federal Reserve Bank of San of the challenges facing LMI communities. This issue of Vantage Point synthesizes the key themes that emerged in Francisco. The goal is to collect the fall 2012 survey based on the responses of 365 expert stakeholders from the 12th District. Questions were open- insights from community leaders ended, allowing respondents to raise the issues of greatest concern to them. about the conditions and trends affecting low-income households and communities within the Federal Reserve’s 12th District. Respondents INTRODUCTION include representatives from banks, Responses to the fall 2012 survey focused heavily on employment and household economic concerns, once nonprofits and community based again emphasizing the key issue of job availability and its impact on the financial stability of LMI households. organizations, foundations, local Respondents also noted that LMI communities across the District face a slower rate of growth and recovery in governments, and the private sector. local job markets and household financial stability relative to other communities, placing them in a position of The survey is administered online, growing disadvantage as the nation continues to emerge from the recession. A major theme that emerged from and combines both multiple choice responses was that strategic and coordinated delivery of interventions, whether in the form of workforce training, and short answer questions. All financial services, or affordable housing development, will be necessary to ensure that LMI households can more responses are kept confidential. If fully participate in economic recovery. you would like to participate in future waves of the Community Indicators Project survey, please email gabriella.chiarenza@sf.frb.org. Household Financial Stability 28% Employment Conditions 24% Community Development Department Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Housing Market 15% 101 Market Street, MS 215 Education and Workforce Preparedness 11% San Francisco, CA 94105 Public Sector Budget Crises 5% www.frbsf.org/community Capacity of Nonprofit Service Providers 5% TOP ISSUES Project Coordinator Small Business Development 5% Gabriella Chiarenza Access to Credit 5% gabriella.chiarenza@sf.frb.org Health 2% The views expressed in this publication 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% are not necessarily those of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco or the Federal Reserve System. Source: FRBSF Community Development Indicators Survey, Fall 2012. 1
- 2. HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL STABILITY: REACHING THE END OF SAFETY EXPERT NET SAVINGS AND STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET Respondents expressed great concern about decreasing household financial stability in the LMI communi- VIEWPOINTS ties they serve and noted that this issue is closely linked to employment conditions. Many households have HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL STABILITY depleted the savings, unemployment compensation, or other personal safety net measures on which they had “As Utah doesn’t have any real usury laws, relied through the recession, and are facing mounting debt and turning to alternative financial services in an predatory businesses such as check cashing, attempt to stave off immediate financial crisis. Respondents noted that many of their clients no longer qualify payday lending, rent-to-own, and paid tax preparation continue to thrive.” —Utah for traditional bank products due to poor credit or a poor track record with a bank in the past, and that higher- cost alternative financial services (AFS) are readily accessible in LMI communities where traditional banks may “[LMI individuals] are not aware or educated be absent. Respondents explained that these AFS have led some borrowers into even greater debt and cycles enough to realize that by not repaying a debt in of chronic borrowing. Several respondents described the frustration their clients experience as they struggle to a timely manner, credit will continue to cost too manage mounting debt with low-paying employment and few other resources available. much, if available at all. Low income families are also the target of more scams that may end up as collection accounts. Low income families tend to feel uncomfortable contacting a creditor, [and] wait until contact is made by the creditor Use of Alternative Financial Services (AFS), U.S. Households, 2009 and 2011 or a collection agency. These families are the ones who use check cashing companies, payday lenders, rent-to-own furniture and appliance companies, [and] used car dealers who finance autos at exorbitant rates.” —California 41% Ever Used Any AFS “There’s a great need for financial education in 36% school, starting in kindergarten and continuing on through at least high school. Right now on an 2011 adult education level, most families are facing 2009 issues that could have been avoided by just a 37% little training when [they were] younger. A lot of Ever Used Transaction AFS time is taken up resolving these issues that, had Eg., non-bank money orders, non-bank 33% there been basic learning tools in school, would check cashing, remittances not have happened.”—California “Providers of predatory financial products, such 14% as payday lenders, are well capitalized to prey Ever Used Credit AFS upon communities of low income. Banks are Eg., payday loans, pawn shops, 12% not willing to give people a second chance to rent-to-own, and refund anticipation loans establish a good relationship with the bank. People are overwhelmed by their financial 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% instability and do not know how to get in control of their situation. Too much financial information is a mystery, such as credit scoring, and too much is intimidating, like the collections process. Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, “2011 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households,” 2012. There is a need for flexible incentivized savings products to help people establish emergency savings and long-term savings.” —Oregon 2
- 3. EXPERT National data indicate that that use of AFS has indeed risen over the past several years. A 2011 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation survey found that over 40% of all U.S. households used at least one AFS, including transaction products such as non-bank money orders, non-bank check cashing, and non-bank remittances; and credit products such as payday loans, pawn shops, and rent-to-own stores. This is an increase from 2009, VIEWPOINTS when 36% of households had used such products. Nearly two-thirds (64.9%) of unbanked households – those “The lack of credit worthiness has a tremendous without a checking or savings account – used such products in 2011, along with many households that are impact on LMI communities because they are at considered underbanked – those that have a bank account but also use AFS. Asked why they used a particular the mercy of payday lenders, who escalate the poor credit ratings for individuals after they fail to product or service, the vast majority of AFS users noted that the location was more convenient or the trans- meet the terms, due to the exorbitant repayment action faster and easier than with a bank. Several respondents to our survey mentioned that banks are using terms of their loans.” —Nevada tighter standards or are not present in some LMI neighborhoods, which may be causing LMI consumers to turn to higher cost AFS products, and as a result perpetuating a debt cycle for these households. “Lenders have overreacted to regulators’ criticism, and regulators have overreacted to the ‘crises.’ Respondents to the 12th District Community Indicators survey also noted several other factors contributing to As lenders, we are asked to provide financing to build the economy, but criticized for taking financial instability among LMI households in their regions, including: a lack of financial education and bud- risks and punished for defaults. As a nondeposit geting skills; the temptation of expensive and unnecessary products; an unwillingness to engage in financial lender, I need to look at finances very carefully. If I education due to embarrassment or pride; and inaccessible or geographically scattered service providers. don’t lend in high risk areas I am criticized for not Several respondents expressed an immediate need for financial education at an early age in LMI communities following the corporate mission, but if I do, then to prevent a continued cycle of family debt. the regulators complain about credit standards and lack of collateral. I have been asked to place loans on a watch list because they were modified, even when the borrower has never missed a payment.” —California EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND JOB TRAINING: A LACK OF EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS LIVING-WAGE JOBS AND AFFORDABLE TRAINING PROGRAMS “Many [families we serve] have had hours cut or lost their jobs all together…. Those who have lost Many respondents noted that jobs are still scarce in their areas, and that the positions available tend to be their jobs and who were fortunate enough to find part-time or seasonal and often do not pay wages that adequately cover even basic costs of living. In addition, a second job had to take a job with a much lower several regions in the 12th District are dominated by single industries, such as timber in parts of Washington salary, and now cannot cover the cost of rent, car and Oregon, tourism in Hawaii, and gaming in some Nevada communities, which limits employment opportuni- payments, etc.” —Hawaii ties for residents. Respondents from these areas emphasized the difficulty of attracting new industries, and ex- “Many working class families have lost their jobs. plained that as a result, the local job market is constrained to these single industries and the lower-wage service Reduced income has resulted in a ripple effect sector. Limited educational and vocational training opportunities, as well as scant resources for reliable trans- that includes: loss of housing, displacement, poor portation and child care, were also repeatedly mentioned as key employment barriers for LMI communities. credit, mental health issues, domestic violence issues, substance abuse issues and other serious Nationally, employment and wage data bear out respondents’ comments: for many of the largest occupation economic and social impacts.” —California categories in the country, median wages are significantly below the levels needed to cover essential household costs. In 2011, the top four occupations in the country by volume of workers were retail sales, cashiers, office “There is a new face to the poor and low wage clerks, and food preparation and service workers. These four service occupations alone account for 12% of earners: they are more educated, experienced, and employable, which only moves those without jobs in the United States, yet the median wage in each of these occupations is well below the national median these attributes even lower.” —Washington household income level, and below the income needed to afford the median U.S. rent. Only one of these occu- pations lists a median income above the poverty level for a family of four. The top ten occupations in the United States also include customer service representatives, janitors and cleaners, and freight and material movers. 3
- 4. Together, these occupations are crucial to the support and growth of major industries across the country, but EXPERT VIEWPOINTS many of these workers do not earn enough to adequately support their families, even at a subsistence level. The gap between state median household income and median incomes for these low-wage service jobs is even greater in some 12th District states, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Washington.1 “The variety of jobs for undereducated, low and moderate income individuals is very limited. Major employers in agriculture prefer to seek Median Annual Incomes of the Top Four Occupations in the United States, 2011 out experienced workers, do not provide training or incentives, and do not provide long- term opportunities to attract new workers to $60,000 the field who have a desire to make careers in agricultural fields. On the other hand, oilfield US Median Household Income ($52,762) employers provide many of the aforementioned $50,000 benefits and incentives, but do not do enough to recruit from low income environments.” —California $40,000 “Although we are seeing an increase in hiring Income Needed to Afford Median Rent ($34,840) right now, they are retail and/or seasonal jobs. Pay rates are insufficient and do not provide living wages to families.” —Oregon $30,000 $27,186 Poverty Limit, 4-person Household ($22,350) EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE $20,000 $21,008 DEVELOPMENT $18,824 $18,221 “While our county shows 16% of the population with less than a 9th grade education, we have cities where that number is as high as 48% - or $10,000 twelve times that of the state.” —Washington “There are not enough technical trades being $0 taught at the high school level. As a result, Office Clerks Retail Salespersons Cashiers Food Preparation and people graduate with limited skills and have Servers to spend significant dollars at trade schools or community colleges to learn necessary skills.” —Oregon Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2011; US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines, 2011; American Community Survey 5 Year Estimates, 2011. Note: Median monthly rent for the U.S. in 2011 was $871; affordable rent is defined as no more than 30% of income. Compounding this issue, a majority of jobs lost in the recession were middle-wage jobs, with hourly wages between $13.84 and $21.13, while the greatest job gains since 2010 have been in lower-wage employment, with hourly wages of $7.69 to $13.83. Fully 60% of job losses during the recession were middle-wage, while only 22% of job gains during the recovery were in middle-wage occupations. Lower-wage occupations constituted only 21% of total jobs lost during the recession, however, and accounted for 58% of jobs gained 1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2011. 4
- 5. during the recovery period.2 Thus, many middle-class workers have lost their jobs and, if they have been able to secure new employment at all, find themselves earning far lower wages post-recession. Many of those who EXPERT were employed in their previous jobs for at least three years find new employment within one year, but on average over the next 25 years, these workers will earn 11% less than similar workers who retained their jobs VIEWPOINTS through the recession.3 “Many workers have been unable to find work in their chosen field, and so have sought new job opportunities through further education. Job Losses and Gains During the Recession and Recovery, 2008-2012 Unfortunately, these educational opportunities are full of others searching for work, so upon graduation or certification, job searchers are finding their employment market very % of Recovery Job Growth 20% competitive. These workers often end up with % of Recession Job Losses an education that has not been useful in helping Higher-wage Occupations $21.14-$54.55/hr ‐19% them find employment, and they have usually attained the education with the accumulation of educational debt.” —Oregon 22% Mid-wage Occupations “Low to moderate income people do not have $13.84-$21.13/hr ‐60% access to the job training required to move them in today’s workforce. Our city represents contrasting populations in this manner. We are 58% home to some of the world’s best high tech Lower-wage Occupations employers, but our low income population ‐21% $7.69-$13.83/hr struggles to earn a living wage.” —Arizona ‐75% ‐50% ‐25% 0% 25% 50% 75% “We love community colleges, but there are basic problems with this approach. Many of the people we see need a job NOW. They do not have the luxury of going to school Source: National Employment Law Project for 6-18 months to gain wonderful job skills. What they need is WORK EXPERIENCE —like Respondents also voiced significant concern about the cost of education and training in some LMI communi- apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training, and the like. While community colleges are ties, an issue directly linked to employment challenges. They noted that many unemployed LMI individuals, good at training, they have an abysmal record seeing few employment opportunities for which they are qualified on the job market, return to school to improve of PLACEMENT. And training without placement their qualifications. When students graduate from vocational training programs or community college course- doesn’t help anyone.” —California work, however, they must compete with one another in a tight job market. Respondents explained that some students do not graduate or complete their training programs before dropping out due to expenses, household demands, or other conflicts. Additionally, whether or not they have graduated, these students now have varying degrees of student debt, layered on top of existing debt accumulated while they were unemployed. 2. National Employment Law Project, “The Low-Wage Recovery and Growing Inequality,” 2012. 3. Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney, “Building America’s Job Skills with Effective Workforce Programs: A Training Strategy to Raise Wages and Increase Work Opportunities,” The Hamilton Project of the Brookings Institution, 2011. 5
- 6. HOUSING: RENTS ON THE RISE EXPERT Housing costs – particularly costs for renters – have been on the rise across the District, exacerbating the grow- ing strain on reduced household incomes already affected by unemployment and debt. Respondents noted that VIEWPOINTS typical rents and home prices in their regions are far too high for LMI households, many of which are spending HOUSING MARKET more on housing costs than 30% of household income, the standard threshold for affordability. Although costs “Market-rate multifamily housing production are high for all households, LMI renters are by far the most heavily burdened. has increased in recent months, especially in Seattle, and is forecasted to continue increasing. Rent levels are also rising while vacancies decline. That adds up to an Households Earning Less Than $35,000 and imbalance of market units to affordable units, Paying More Than 30% of Income for Housing, 2011 and increases pressure on nonprofit developers to produce units while construction costs are Owner costs include payments for mortgage, deed, purchase contract, property tax, increasing and the public resources to create insurance, utilities, and/or fuels. Renter costs include rent and utilities. affordability are declining.” —Washington 100% Owner Households Renter Households “Over half of the population of San Diego can’t afford to live in San Diego.” —California “New housing construction is dangerously low. The rental vacancy rate is just 1.9% and recent 80% U.S. Average, Renters housing reports indicate that Anchorage will need about 9,000 new homes built over the next 20 years just to meet projected population growth. At the same time, the three largest occupation sectors —retail sales, cashiers, and 60% U.S. Average, Owners fast food workers —are making below $25,000 a year. Nearly half of Anchorage families are spending 35-75% of their salary just to pay for their housing.” —Alaska 40% “LMI individuals have a difficult time finding affordable renting, much less buying opportunities. This affects not only LMI, but also the middle class in our area. For this reason, 20% 50% of our police, nursing, and fire personnel live outside of the area, which creates a very tenuous situation when emergency situations arise.” —California 0% “The current housing market in Honolulu is not meeting the need of Hawaii’s low to moderate income families. The average cost of an apartment currently costs upwards of 60-80% of an LMI family’s monthly gross income.” —Hawaii Source: American Community Survey, 2011 5-Year Estimates. 6
- 7. Respondents said they are concerned about how communities will be able to meet the need for units affordable to LMI residents, given the loss of resources in state and local government housing programs and the recent EXPERT decline in funding for many nonprofits that develop and support affordable homes. Respondents from California particularly stressed the 2012 loss of state redevelopment dollars as a major blow to future affordable housing VIEWPOINTS production, but responses from several other 12th District states reflected similar cutbacks and concerns. Com- “Though prices are historically low in Maricopa ments from organizations in Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Oregon repeatedly mentioned sharply rising housing County, there are many investors and/or cash costs and short supply of units for renters. buyers in the market with whom the LMI buyer is competing. A seller is much more inclined to In other states, including Arizona and Nevada, respondents observed that there are some affordable homes for accept cash offers or financing where the down sale, but offers from LMI bidders are often rejected in favor of investors buying up many properties at once, or payment assistance is not provided through a purchasers who are not reliant on down payment assistance programs. Respondents from Hawaii and Guam program.” —Arizona explained that the real estate market on these islands is skewed heavily toward vacation properties, purchased “Most newer homes were built as large vacation by owners who use them as second homes and do not live on the island most of the year. This purchasing rentals at the top of the market. There is very pattern leaves few homes available and affordable to the local workforce, year-round residents who are largely little housing for the workforce.” —Oregon employed in lower-paying service and hospitality positions. NEXT STEPS NEXT STEPS “Families are struggling and they are tired, as are we along with our fellow nonprofits. Families that need the help are unable to Employment Conditions 28% qualify due to funding reductions and related increases in eligibility requirements. Nonprofits Household Financial Stability 18% are continually asked to do more with less and Housing Market 16% to meet continually increasing higher standards – all with the best of intentions, and yet without Education and Workforce Development 14% additional funding to help providers meet the new standards.”—Hawaii Public Sector Budget Crises 7% “We are fortunate in the Bay Area to have a Access to Credit 6% TOP ISSUES plethora of community based social services to Capacity of Nonprofit Organizations 4% GOING FORWARD support clients. However, the staff members of these organizations are similarly situated to Small Business 3% the clients they serve. Our solutions are often Health 3% “let…do it” (insert CBO staff, teachers, etc.) and we fail to recognize that they too are often 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% in the midst of their own financial distress. Solving the issues we face will require a concerted effort and a continuum of services.” Source: FRBSF Community Development Indicators Survey, Fall 2012. —California Respondents cited the same top three issues – employment, household financial stability, and housing – as key ongoing concerns. They emphasized the growing financial strain that LMI communities across the 12th District face from the combination of longer-term unemployment, limited adult education and workforce training op- portunities, depleted household financial reserves, accumulating debt, and high housing costs. Overall, respon- dents expressed great concern for the LMI communities with which they work, fearing these residents are being 7
- 8. left out of the national recovery and getting stuck in spirals of debt and financial hardship. The loss of income and personal financial safety nets weigh on LMI families and individuals, respondents said, contributing to EXPERT problems with health, domestic stability, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Even as they see their client base grow- ing, many organizations that serve and assist LMI communities are struggling to offer consistent services due to VIEWPOINTS cutbacks in funding for nonprofits and government programs. “While we are improving our community cohesion and making strides toward improving services, Encouragingly, though, respondents offered many suggestions on how to address and remedy the patterns the struggle is still evident that LMI families are leading to poverty and instability in their regions’ LMI communities. In particular, respondents emphasized the still hurting in this community. Our tribe was following strategies. just funded for a CDFI technical assistance grant, which can be so promising. We have two years to plan the nonprofit organization as a 1. Develop short-term, affordable workforce training programs with curriculum informed community development financial institution. We by local employers. have been holding community financial literacy workshops already, but the process is slow. Will Respondents widely noted that education and training options for those who are seeking immediate work we be able to get the nonprofit CDFI up and opportunities are expensive, time-consuming, and poorly matched to the local job market. However, several re- running in order to be effective prior to major across the board cuts in financial assistance spondents suggested that an increase in low-cost, short-term training programs in LMI communities would help programs?” —Idaho unemployed individuals improve their skills without adding debt. Respondents note that to be the most valu- able, training programs should be available and accessible within LMI communities, in high schools as well as “Lyon County School District is in the process of in an adult education format, and curriculum should be coordinated with local employers so that LMI individuals developing articulated classes that are offered to are better positioned to apply for available work in local industries. high school students, geared towards workforce needs within Lyon County and the region.” Programs incorporating these elements have shown strong success rates across the country. A recent study —Nevada tracked three intensive, sector-oriented programs providing training in information technology in New York, “We are partnering with the economic districts to medical accounting and billing in Boston, and manufacturing, construction, and health care in Milwaukee. try to open the opportunities for manufacturing Researchers found that 70% of those who completed these programs were employed with more consistent trades for those who want to work with their job retention, earning $4,500 more on average than non-participants, within one year of program completion. hands and learn a skilled trade.” —Idaho Participants completed each program in fewer than six months, curriculum was developed in consultation with “The local workforce development council in area employers, and programs included direct job placement or placement assistance.4 Spokane has a number of programs. They try to attract employers and try to match skill and 12th District Promising Program: BankWorks needs.” —Washington BankWorks, administered by Jewish Vocational Services of Los Angeles, is an innovative workforce development program developed in partnership with the business community. Over eight weeks, BankWorks participants move through an intensive training curriculum created in conjunction with major banks, gaining the skills needed to apply for bank teller positions upon completion of the program. JVS also provides job placement assistance and career coaching after participants complete their training. The organization also offers similar programs in Southern California in the health care and security fields.5 4. Sheila Maguire, Joshua Freely, Carol Clymer, Maureen Conway, and Deena Schwartz, “Tuning In to Local Labor Markets: Findings from the Sectoral Employment Impact Study.” Public/Private Ventures, 2010. 5. BankWorks website: http://www.jvsla.org/programs-and-services/training-programs/bankworks 8
- 9. 2. Centralize services. EXPERT Both in urban areas and more remote regions, respondents observed that the various services that LMI residents seek are too scattered to be accessible. Unreliable or non-existent transportation, child care VIEWPOINTS responsibilities, long work hours, and stress and exhaustion were all mentioned as barriers that LMI “Non-profit entities that serve the LMI community households face in trying to access the services they need. Respondents suggested that where possible, are spread all over the county instead of services should be centralized in a “one-stop” facility, making it easier for those who face these limitations centralized. Therefore, a person struggling to quickly find the right service providers to meet their needs. A centralized location may also help service has to try to get to multiple locations and is providers to exchange information more easily, reduce duplication, and ease the strain on overburdened staff. continually referred from one [service provider] to another and then another… If the entities could be a ‘one-stop shop’ than the people in 12th District Promising Program: SparkPoint Centers need would only need to get to one location, instead of traveling all over the place when public The ten Northern California SparkPoint Centers run by the United Way of the Bay Area are transportation is limited or private transportation strong examples of the benefits of centralizing services. These centers offer access to a is not as reliable.” —Idaho wide range of services in one location, including job training and placement assistance, “There is tremendous duplication of efforts in public benefits screening and enrollment, financial education and counseling, and affordable multiple public and privately funded agencies. A housing assistance, among others. Data on SparkPoint Center outcomes during 2011 and central clearing house of programs and agencies 2012 reveal that clients who take advantage of SparkPoint’s multiple services are much would go far toward being a ‘one-stop shopping’ center for assistance. I see too many people more likely to achieve household financial and employment goals. Of the clients who utilized running around trying to contact too many more than one service at SparkPoint, 40% increased their income by at least 5%, compared agencies to access the necessities. It doesn’t with 19% of those who only used one service. Fully 74% of participants engaged in multiple have to be this difficult to assess and assist SparkPoint programs improved their budgeting, 79% attained a degree or certificate, and people.” - Oregon 71% increased their job skills, versus 26%, 21%, and 29%, respectively, for single-service participants.6 3. Increase opportunities for LMI households and small businesses to access traditional bank products and maintain bank accounts. Respondents indicated that financial hardship in LMI communities is exacerbated by the use of short-term fi- nancial solutions and AFS products, which often keep individuals out of the financial mainstream. Similarly, they noted that small businesses in LMI areas are increasingly struggling to access credit due to tightening stan- dards. Respondents suggested that stable and inexpensive access to financial education and services would help LMI households alleviate debt and rebuild financial reserves, while making their financial situations easier to manage and more secure. They also noted that small businesses in LMI communities could similarly benefit from responsible loans and business services easily accessible within their neighborhoods. 6. “Ladders to Success: Center-Based Strategies for Moving Working Families into the Middle Class.” United Way of the Bay Area, 2012. SparkPoint website: http://www.uwba.org/cut-poverty/sparkpoint/ 9
- 10. EXPERT 12th District Promising Program: Innovative Changes Innovative Changes (ICS), a Portland-based financial education and assistance program, provides access to small-dollar loans, financial literacy training, and credit building VIEWPOINTS opportunities. With a referral from an ICS partner service provider, clients may qualify for “The emergence of asset building coalitions is loans specifically designed as stable AFS alternatives for LMI individuals facing financial helping to share information through member emergencies, wishing to pay down existing debt responsibly, or working toward building their networks.” —Washington assets. ICS also offers one-on-one financial counseling and group workshops, and ICS staff “Some credit unions have created payday exit provide assistance with credit repair and link clients to “second chance” bank accounts and programs that provide small dollar loans at much other traditional financial institution products and services.7 more affordable prices and allow households to exchange the burden of payday balloons for monthly installments.”—California 4. Establish partnerships to pool resources to preserve existing affordable housing and “Elfrida Citizens Alliance is using funding develop new affordable homes. from HUD’s Rural Innovation Fund to provide small business training, one-on-one technical Many respondents expressed frustration with local housing markets that price out LMI residents or require assistance, and a small revolving loan fund them to spend the majority of their income on housing costs. While this combination of a housing shortage and to help businesses finance their retention or rising rents continues to be a significant challenge across the West, respondents also described some creative expansion efforts.”—Arizona efforts to increase the affordable housing stock despite diminished resources. These respondents stressed the “Promising strategies were recommended importance of innovative financing strategies and pooled resources in the form of partnerships and coalitions by the Mayor’s Kitchen Cabinet Work Group of developers, funders, and others involved with affordable housing. Others described programs that make it on Affordable Housing, a volunteer group of easier for low-income renters and homeowners to find and stay in affordable homes. community and business leaders whose goal was to look for policy changes to spur housing 12th District Promising Program: Na Hale O Maui Community Land Trust development in Anchorage. I served on this task force. One important step we identified is Na Hale O Maui (NHOM) is one of Hawaii’s first community land trusts, working with local to empower a partnership or existing entity to developers, financial institutions, land owners, nonprofit organizations, and local government specifically plan for, encourage, and coordinate housing development.”—Alaska to help address the affordable housing shortage on the island. Founded in 2006, NHOM acquires and rehabilitates abandoned foreclosed properties, converting them into single- “MDC and Associated Ministries are working family homes resold at affordable prices to LMI families. Additionally, NHOM provides free with landlords to establish partnerships that are willing to negotiate better with renters on homebuyer seminars that are open to the public, to help LMI residents to learn mortgage expenses and in mitigating problems before they basics and decide if homeownership is the right option for their family.8 lead to foreclosure. Additionally, Pierce County funded a database and a website so people can search for housing that fits their budget.” — Washington 7. Innovative Changes website: http://www.innovativechanges.org/ 8. Na Hale O Maui website: http://www.nahaleomaui.org 10
- 11. The 12th District Community Indicators Project